Lebanese president warns of escalating tensions after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites

By Ikram Kouachi

ANKARA (AA) – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned on Sunday that US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities raises the risk of widening regional tensions and threatens security and stability across the region.

Lebanon is “more aware than ever of the heavy price it has paid due to wars on its soil and in the region,” Aoun said in a statement.

He stressed that Lebanon “is unwilling to pay more” and that there is “no national interest” in further involvement.

The Lebanese leader called for restraint and the launch of “constructive and serious negotiations to restore stability to regional countries and avoid further killing and destruction.”

US President Donald Trump said early Sunday that his forces bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.

The attacks came as the latest escalation in a US-backed Israeli military assault on Iran since June 13, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory attacks on Israel.

Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.