ROME, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday urged Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran to avoid further conflict escalation and return to negotiations.
Tajani's appeal followed a series of Israeli airstrikes overnight targeting multiple sites in Iran, including a nuclear facility, military installations, and senior military officials.
In a morning phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Tajani "reiterated the need for an immediate return to negotiations," according to a statement from his office.
He also reaffirmed the Italian government's stance that halting Israel's military operations in Gaza is "an absolute priority, given the unacceptable toll being inflicted on the Palestinian civilian population."
In a subsequent conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Tajani urged Tehran to exercise restraint and avoid military escalation, warning that any further deterioration could threaten the stability of the entire Middle East.
"We must urgently return to negotiations and to the path of diplomacy," Tajani said.
The Italian minister added that he would remain in close contact with officials from the United States, Oman, and Israel in an effort to "keep diplomatic channels open for the exchange of messages."
According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the airstrikes were a "preemptive, precise, and combined" operation targeting dozens of military facilities across Iran, including sites linked to its nuclear program.
Iranian authorities condemned the strikes as a "blatant act of aggression." Supreme leader Ali Khamenei described the attack as a crime against Iran and "a declaration of war," vowing that it would be met with severe retaliation.
