French President Emmanuel Macron has said he strongly condemns Iran's latest attacks on Israel, adding that France has mobilised military resources in the Middle East.In a statement released Wednesday, Macron reiterated France's demand that the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah cease its terrorist actions against Israel and its population.
The French president also insited that Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity be reinstated in strict compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
This comes as Iran said that its missile attack on Israel was over – barring further provocation – while Israel and the US have promised to retaliate against Tehran's escalation as fears of a wider war intensify.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has also called for an immediate regional ceasefire, writing on social media: "The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks ... spiralling out of control".
For his part, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with the leaders of Germany and France, and they agreed on a need for restraint from all sides.
The United Nations Security Council meeting regarding the situation in the Middle East has been scheduled for later today.
French navy deploys near Lebanon as Israel launches ground raids on Hezbollah
'Severe consequences'
Meanwhile, Washington has said it would work with long-time ally Israel to make sure Iran faced "severe consequences" for Tuesday's attack, which Israel said involved more than 180 ballistic missiles.
"Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation. In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X early on Wednesday.
Iran described the missile launch as defensive and solely aimed at Israeli military facilities, with Iran's state news agency saying three Israeli military bases had been targeted.
Tehran said its assault was a response to Israel's killing of militant leaders – including Lebanese Shi'ia leader Hassan Nasrallah – and aggression in Lebanon against Hezbollah and in Gaza.
Israel continues strikes on Lebanon as Iran vows to avenge Nasrallah death
Iran 'will pay' for missile attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to hit back.
Speaking at the outset of an emergency political security cabinet meeting late on Tuesday, Netanyahu said: "Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it."
Israel renewed its bombardment early on Wednesday of Beirut's southern suburbs – a Hezbollah stronghold – with at least a dozen airstrikes against what it said were targets belonging the group.
Iran's General Staff of the Armed Forces said in a statement carried by state media that any Israeli response would be met with "vast destruction" of Israeli infrastructure.
It also said it would target regional assets of any Israeli ally that got involved.
Fears that Iran and the US could be drawn into a regional war have risen with Israel's growing assault on Lebanon in the past two weeks, including the start of a ground operation there on Monday, and its year-old conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Nearly 1,900 people have been killed and more than 9,000 wounded in Lebanon in almost a year of cross-border fighting – most in the past two weeks – according to Lebanese government statistics.
