Germany summons Iranian ambassador over attacks in Middle East

The German Foreign Office has summoned the Iranian ambassador in response to Tehran's attacks on Israel and other countries in the Middle East.

"We have unequivocally called on the Iranian regime to immediately cease its reckless attacks on countries in the region," the ministry said on X. 

"We condemn the Iranian regime's arbitrary and disproportionate missile and drone attacks, including on civilian targets," the statement continued. "The attacks threaten our allies, our military personnel and our nationals in the region."

Tehran has retaliated after the large-scale offensive launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday with attacks on Israel and on US bases in several Gulf countries.

Fighting in the region has escalated, with Israel bombing Beirut on Tuesday in response to attacks by the Iran-affiliated Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

The Iranian embassy said Ambassador Majid Nili told the German Foreign Office that the US-Israeli attacks violate international law.

He referred to Article 51 of the UN Charter, which establishes the right to self-defence.

"Iran's actions are within the scope of this legitimate right to self-defence," the embassy quoted him as saying.