Dutch Foreign Minister calls on Iran for "maximum restraint"
The Cabinet has called on Iran to exercise "maximum restraint" in the rising tensions in the Middle East. Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who conveyed the request to his Iranian counterpart, wrote this on X.
Sprak telefonisch met de Iraanse waarnemend BZ-minister, @Bagheri_Kani. Ik heb mijn ernstige zorgen geuit over de oplopende spanningen in de regio. Hierbij heb ik #Iran opgeroepen tot maximale terughoudendheid. Nederland pleit via alle diplomatieke wegen voor de-escalatie. 1/2
— Caspar Veldkamp (@ministerBZ) August 10, 2024
A direct war between Iran and Israel is feared after a Hamas leader was killed in the Iranian capital Tehran. Iran suspects Israel of carrying out the attack, which the country denies. Iran has since threatened retaliatory strikes.
"I have expressed my serious concern about the increasing tensions in the region," said Veldkamp. "The Netherlands is committed to de-escalation through all diplomatic channels." Among other things, Veldkamp also addressed Iran's military support for Russia and the frequent use of the death penalty.
Reporting by ANP