International reactions to the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus
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Iran: Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, stated there would be a strong response to the attack. Khamenei's political advisor Ali Shamkhani, said that the United States "remains directly responsible whether or not it was aware of the intention to carry out this attack".[1] Iran also sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council, saying it "reserves its legitimate and inherent right to respond decisively".[2]
Israel: Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesman, claimed: "According to our intelligence, this is neither a consulate nor an embassy." He further added that the target attacked was a "military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian structure in Damascus".[3]Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense, claimed that "Israel is working to make it clear to everyone who acts against us, all over the Middle East, that the price for acting against Israel will be a heavy price."[4] Israel told the U.S. that if Iran were to launch a strike from its territory against Israel in retaliation, it would prompt a harsh response from Israel, potentially escalating the current conflict to a higher intensity.[5][6]
Four anonymous Israeli officials have confirmed that Israel has been behind the attack.[7]
Syria: Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad condemned the bombing, calling it a "terrorist attack" which had killed "innocents".[8]
Other countries
Afghanistan: The Taliban government condemned the attack on the embassy.[10]
Armenia: In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it was "deeply concerned" over the attack, reiterating "the inviolability of diplomatic representations" and expressing sympathy for the victims and wounded.[14]
Brazil: According to a press release from Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Brazilian government condemned the attack, while recalling "the principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular missions" as stated by the Vienna Convention, as well as respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity as stated by the United Nations Charter. Brazil also expressed concern over a possible spread of hostilities in the region.[15]
Belarus: The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, stating that it "not only violates international law" but also "undermines the basis and spirit of modern international relations, regional and international security".[16]
China: China condemned the attack, with the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin saying: "The security of diplomatic institutions cannot be violated, and Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity should be respected".[17]
Cuba: In a post on X, Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla stated that his country "energetically condemns" the attack, describing it as a "flagrant violation" of Syria's sovereignty and international law.[18]
Ecuador: The UN representative of Ecuador condemned the attack, stating that it "runs counter to principles enshrined in international law" and that "othing justifies these types of attacks".[9]
Egypt: In a post on X, Ahmed Abu Zeid, spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the country rejects attacks on diplomatic premises "under any justification," while reaffirming respect for Egypt's territorial integrity and sovereignty.[19]
Guyana: The UN representative of Guyana stated that any attack against a diplomatic facility is "unacceptable and contravenes the fundamental safeguards established in international law".[9]
India: Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal expressed concern over the attack,[20][21] and sent a message to Israel noting that all parties should avoid acting against the accepted norms of international law.[20]
Indonesia: The Foreign Ministry issued a statement denouncing the attack.[22]
Iraq: In a telephone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani extended his condolences on the victims of the attack, while stressing Iraq's condemnation of the "sinful aggression."[23]
Japan: The UN representative of Japan expressed concerns.[9]
Jordan: The foreign ministry condemned the violation of the international law.[25]
Kazakhstan: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, calling it a clear violation of the international law.[26]
Kyrgyzstan: The Foreign Ministry expressed concerns.[27]
Kuwait: Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the country's "strong condemnation" of the attack, calling it a violation of international law. It also called on the international community to "bear responsibility" and make an effort to protect the region's stability and safety.[28]
Lebanon: The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants condemned the attack, stating that the attack was a "breach of international law and a serious violation of the Vienna agreements for diplomatic and consular relations".[29]
Malaysia: The Foreign Ministry issued a statement denouncing the attack.[22]
Maldives: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack in a statement and sent condolescence to all those affected.[31]
Mauritania: In a statement, Mauritania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "strong condemnation" of the bombing, while reaffirming the need to "respect diplomatic and consular premises and the sovereignty of States" in accordance with international law.[32]
Nicaragua: Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo offered their "heartfelt and deep condolences" in a letter addressed to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi, while condemning what they called a "despicable and miserable act by the enemies of peace and life."[33]
Oman: Oman's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack, describing it as a breach of Syrian sovereignty, international law and diplomatic and consular immunities, and calling for regional de-escalation.[36]
Pakistan: The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, describing it as "an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of Syria" which "undermines its stability and security."[37][38]
Philippines: The Philippine Embassy in Iran expressed "profound concerns" in a statement on behalf of the government.[39]
Russia: Russia strongly condemned the attack, with a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing it as unacceptable.[42] During a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov offered his condolences, calling the attack a "political killing".[43] Russia also requested the UN Security Council to discuss the strike.[44]
Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the country's "categorical rejection of targeting diplomatic facilities for any justification, and under any pretext".[45]
South Africa: In a press release, the South African government conveyed its condolences to the victims of the bombing. It condemned the attack as "a flagrant violation of international law," as well as of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.[46]
Sierra Leone: The representative of Sierra Leone in UN condemned the attack, stating that it breaches of the UN Charter, the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.[9]
Slovenia: Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar condemned the attack in a statement.[47]
South Korea: The representative of the Republic of Korea in UN condemned the attack.[9]
Spain: In an interview with Al Jazeera during his visit to the Middle East, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the attack as "unacceptable" and called on Israel to explain if it played any role.[48]
Switzerland: The UN representative of Switzerland condemned the attack, called for de-escalation, and noted that any use of force "must strictly comply with international law", noting that diplomatic buildings must not be targeted.[9]
Tajikistan: The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack.[49]
Turkey: The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli bombing in a statement, while expressing concerns of regional escalation of the conflict and urging all sides to abide by international law.[52]
United Kingdom: The UN representative of the United Kingdom underlined the "importance of respect for the inviolability of diplomatic premises and protection of diplomatic and consular staff for the proper conduct of diplomatic relations", but added that Iran's role in "destabilizing the region is unacceptable".[9]
United States: A spokesman of the United States National Security Council stated that it had no involvement in or advance knowledge about the Israeli strike.[54] Israel had notified the US in advance that it would be operating in Syria, but did not identify the target.[55]
The Russian representative in the UN questioned this claim, noting that the US "always possesses information on any topic firsthand thanks to its intelligence capabilities. But surprisingly, Washington, D.C., has no confirmation regarding the attack against the consulate of Iran".[9]
Uzbekistan: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack as a "gross violation of the fundamental principles and tenets of international diplomatic law".[56]
Venezuela: In a post on X, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yván Gil expressed his country's "strong condemnation" of the bombing, as well as his solidarity with the peoples and governments of Iran and Syria.[57]
Vietnam: Vietnam condemned the attack, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang citing the 1961 Vienna Convention on the protection and respect of diplomatic representatives and facilities. The ministry did not directly mention Israel in its statement, but called on "the sides concerned" to refrain from violence and "settle differences by peaceful means".[58]
Arab League: The Arab League released a statement condemning the attack as a "blatant violation" of Syrian sovereignty. It also expressed concern over an escalation of the conflict in the region.[59]
European Union: European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano released a statement condemning the attack, while expressing concern about any further escalations and urging "utmost restraint" in its aftermath.[60][61] EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that he had spoken to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, reiterating the EU's condemnation of the bombing, while stressing "the inviolability of diplomatic premises and personnel" as well as the need to "avoid further escalation."[62]
GCC: General-Secretary Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi denounced the attack, while stressing the importance of adhering to international laws, treaties and diplomatic immunities.[45]
OIC: Secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha strongly condemned the aggression, expressing solidarity with the people and government of Iran.[64][65]
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: The Secretary-General "strongly condemned" the attack in a statement and sent condolences to Iran, noting that the diplomatic institutions are inviolable.[66]
United Nations: The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, stated: "Attacks from the outside on any country are a violation of sovereignty. We have condemned these attacks and will continue to do so."[67] A statement condemning the attack was drafted by Russia to be issued by the UN Security Council, but the Western member states opposed the issuance of any statement, according to the Russia's Foreign Ministry[68] and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.[69] The Iranian Foreign Ministry denounced that as a "double standard".[70]
Khaled Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, noted that the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected and urged for avoidance of further escalation.[9]
^Toàn, Vũ (6 April 2024). "Vietnam condemns attack on Iranian embassy in Syria". VietnamPlus. Hanoi: Vietnam News Agency. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024. Vietnam condemns the attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria. All the buildings of diplomatic representative and consular offices must be respected and protected according to international law.