The Angolan government said on Tuesday it was “extremely concerned” about the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and about “serious developments that endanger stability in the region”, calling for a reduction in tensions and an end to hostilities through dialogue.
In a statement released by the press office of the president, the government of Angola said it was closely following “with extreme concern the serious escalation of the conflict in the Middle East” following attacks reported in Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.
The note, which does not mention Israel or the United States, expresses solidarity with the victims of the conflict, citing “serious incidents that threaten stability in the region, with harmful effects on world peace”.
Angola also stressed the urgent need to reduce tensions and fully respect international law, urging the parties involved “to exercise maximum restraint and to prioritise dialogue through diplomatic channels, making efforts towards the immediate cessation of hostilities, thereby restoring regional peace and stability”.
Angola’s reaction comes two days after Israel and the United States launched a large-scale military offensive against Iran, which responded with attacks on neighbouring countries, particularly those hosting US military bases.
In the first wave of strikes on Tehran, joint forces killed dozens of Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, aged 86, who had been in power since 1989.
The United States and Israel claimed imminent threats from Iran to justify the offensive, despite ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Read more about this topic: Nuclear: US and Iran to hold new “technical talks” next week in Vienna (with video)
Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases in the region and Israeli targets. Arab Gulf states warned they could retaliate against Iran following strikes that hit key locations and killed at least five civilians, while France, Germany and the United Kingdom said they could join US forces.
At least 555 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the attacks, according to the Iranian Red Crescent. The US military confirmed the deaths of three American service members.
