EU's Borrell Condemns Attacks On Israel, France Raises Concerns

Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, reaffirmed his condemnation of the "brutal attacks" on Israel in a phone conversation with the Iranian Foreign Minister.

“Nothing can justify such despicable acts of terror and nothing can justify supporting it,” Borrell said in a message on Tuesday.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian claimed that during the phone call he described the attacks as “a natural legitimate reaction to the radical criminal acts of the Zionist Regime and a clear outcome of Netanyahu extremism against the motherland of the Palestinian nation.”

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Tuesday that “it’s likely” that Iran assisted Hamas in carrying out the deadly terrorist attack on Israel. However, he noted that Western allies currently lack definitive proof of Iran's involvement. 

Macron's comments followed several news reports suggesting Tehran's active role in launching the violent incursion into Israeli territory, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians.

On Tuesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reiterated Tehran’s support for the militant group’s actions, which he said caused Israel to suffer “an irreparable defeat.”

“This devastating earthquake has managed to destroy some of the key structures of the oppressive regime's governance, the reconstruction of which is not easily achievable,” he said.

Iran promptly congratulated Hamas following its surprise attack on Israel and expressed support for “anti-Zionist resistance in the region.”

Speaking alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a Franco-German summit in Hamburg, Macron reiterated their strong condemnation of Iran's celebration of the attack.