VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg has condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf states not directly involved in the conflict, urging restraint as tensions escalate across the Middle East.
Borg held separate calls with the Prime Minister of Qatar and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the crisis and coordinate support for Maltese nationals in the region.
He said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism is monitoring developments through embassies and consular services, advising Maltese citizens to remain indoors and travellers to postpone trips. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have offered complimentary accommodation to stranded travellers, including Maltese nationals whose lodging arrangements have lapsed.
Ahead of an emergency meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, both Gulf leaders urged Malta to maintain talks with Israel and the United States to facilitate the repatriation of EU citizens wishing to leave.
Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed the government is working to bring home Maltese and Gozitan citizens caught in the conflict, describing the situation as unprecedented. “Both my office and that of the deputy prime minister are working to protect those Maltese and Gozitans who have been caught outside our shores,” Abela said.
The escalation followed large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and several Gulf states. More than 1,400 flights to and from Middle East destinations were cancelled on Sunday, complicating evacuation efforts. Borg, speaking from Rome during an official visit with the Maltese President, reiterated Malta’s call for restraint, dialogue and respect for international law. “Malta will continue to advocate for restraint, for dialogue, for international law, and for the full protection of civilians,” he said.
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