Nicosia: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has issued a warning against any further escalation in the Middle East, amid growing tensions between Tel Aviv and Tehran. She emphasized that the region does not require renewed conflict and advocated for dialogue between the involved parties.

According to Anadolu Agency, Kallas made these remarks ahead of a defense ministers meeting in Nicosia, the Greek Cypriot Administration. She highlighted the importance of the EU’s role in facilitating efforts towards a ceasefire and stressed that the immediate priority must be to halt the ongoing hostilities.

Kallas underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire, expressing the necessity of stopping the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. She also pointed out the importance of using the ceasefire period for more in-depth discussions on complex issues such as nuclear concerns and other critical matters.

The call for de-escalation follows a series of violent exchanges, with Iran launching missile barrages toward northern Israel after an Israeli airstrike targeted a Hezbollah command and planning center in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Israeli attack resulted in two deaths and injured 11 others.

This recent Iranian attack is noted as the first since a fragile ceasefire was established in early April. The ceasefire had been mediated by Pakistan on April 8, but subsequent negotiations faltered due to disagreements over its implementation and ongoing regional developments.