Pope warns against ‘spiral of violence’, UK’s Sunak calls for ‘calm heads to prevail’ after Iran’s attack on Israel

Pope Francis on Sunday made a “pressing appeal” against a “spiral of violence” after Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, warning of a potential regional conflagration. Also, the United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called Sunday for “calm heads to prevail”

“I make a pressing appeal for an end to any action which could fuel a spiral of violence that risks dragging the Middle East into an even greater conflict,” the Argentinian pontiff declared following his traditional Sunday prayer in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

“I am praying and following with concern, but also pain, the news that has come in recent hours about the worsening situation in Israel due to Iran’s intervention,” the pope told worshippers. “No one should threaten the existence of others. All countries must, however, side with peace and help Israelis and Palestinians to live in two states, side by side and in security,” he said.

“That is their right,” Francis insisted as he once again repeated earlier calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and “negotiation.” The pontiff furthermore demanded the world “help the population facing a humanitarian crisis” in Gaza and urged the “immediate release of the hostages kidnapped months ago” by Hamas, setting in train the latest chapter of violence in the region.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called Sunday for “calm heads to prevail” as he confirmed that British fighter jets had shot down Iranian drones during Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel. Israel and its allies intercepted almost all of the missiles and drones fired by Iran during its first-ever attack on Israeli territory.

Sunak joined world leaders in urging restraint as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned against any “reckless” Israeli retaliation to the strikes, which marked a major escalation in Middle East tensions. “If this attack had been successful, the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate,” Sunak told reporters in Downing Street.

“We stand by the security of Israel and the wider region, which is of course important for our security here at home, and what we now need is for calm heads to prevail. “We’ll be working with our allies to de-escalate the situation and I look forward to speaking to G7 leaders later this afternoon,” Sunak added.

He also said that British Royal Air Force planes “did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones,” confirming reports that Britain had helped Israel and other allies repel the strikes. The UK’s defence ministry said late Saturday it had sent additional fighter jets and air refuelling tankers to the region in the face of the Iranian threats to Israel.

The planes bolstered an existing British operation in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State group, the Ministry of Defence added.