The Maldives has condemned Israel’s military strikes on Iran, stating that the attacks carried out on Friday constitute a breach of Iranian sovereignty and a violation of international law.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged an immediate de-escalation of hostilities, warning that the rising tensions threaten regional security. The statement called on all parties involved to show maximum restraint and adhere to international law.
The Maldives also appealed to the international community to take all necessary steps to facilitate a ceasefire and bolster dialogue aimed at ensuring long-term peace in the region.
Israeli strikes on Iran targeted military bases in the Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran provinces, with Iran’s military confirming that the attacks caused only “limited damage.” Israel has warned Iran against retaliating, stating that it would be “obligated to respond” again and noting that it has “additional targets” it could strike should retaliation occur.
This escalation follows a series of significant events. On 10 October 2023, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that Tehran was not involved in the 7 October attack but hailed the attacks carried out by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, which he said caused an “irreparable” military and intelligence defeat for Israel.
In December, two members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who were serving as military advisors in Syria, were killed in an Israeli attack, marking the first reported Iranian casualties during Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza.
Earlier in April, an Israeli strike flattened Iran’s consulate in Damascus, resulting in the deaths of two Iranian generals and five military advisers, which Iran and Syria blamed on Israel. On 13 April, Iran responded by launching explosive drones and missiles at Israel, marking its first direct attack on Israeli territory and risking major escalation.
On 31 July, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Iran to attend the inauguration ceremony for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, was assassinated, with both Hamas and Iran blaming Israel. Khamenei remarked that Israel had created the grounds for “harsh punishment.”
On 1 October, Iran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel in retaliation for deadly Israeli attacks against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the targeted assassinations of high-ranking leaders from the IRGC, Hamas, and Hezbollah.