ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, in a joint statement on Saturday said they did not take part in the strikes targeting Iran, but are in “close contact” with the US and Israel, while condemning Iran’s attacks on regional neighbors.

The US and Israel began carrying out attacks against Iran on Saturday morning, prompting retaliatory strikes from Tehran targeting American bases in several Middle Eastern countries.

In a statement attributed to French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the leaders said their countries “did not participate in these strikes [on Iran], but are in close contact with our international partners, including the United States, Israel, and partners in the region,” while reiterating their commitment to “regional stability and to the protection of civilian life.”

Iran has so far targeted 14 American bases in the region, an informed military source told state-affiliated Tasnim on Saturday, while noting that the attacks “have not been limited to one base in each country.”

“We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms,” said the leaders,  noting that Tehran must refrain from “indiscriminate military strikes,” while also urging the “resumption of negotiations,” and calling on the Iranian leadership to seek a “negotiated solution.” 

“We have consistently urged the Iranian regime to end Iran’s nuclear program, curb its ballistic missile program, refrain from its destabilising activity in the region and our homelands, and to cease the appalling violence and repression against its own people,” read the statement. 

Israel on Saturday morning launched what it called a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with explosions being seen in Tehran and a nationwide red alert being imposed across Israel, while US President Donald Trump announced that the US military has started “major combat operations” in Iran.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday evening said there were no casualties or injuries during Iran’s retaliatory attacks on its bases in the region, adding that damage to installations was also minimal.

“The first hours of the operation included precision munitions launched from air, land, and sea. Additionally, CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike employed low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in combat,” CENTCOM said in the statement