Singapore denounces Iran’s missile strike on Israel, cites rising regional instability

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has strongly condemned Iran’s recent military action against Israel, which involved the deployment of hundreds of drones and missiles on 14 April 2024.

This act of aggression by Iran was stated as retaliation for an Israeli strike on 1 April, which targeted Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing seven Revolutionary Guards officers, including two senior commanders.

Iran had vowed retaliation for the attack and Tehran said its strike on Saturday was punishment for “Israeli crimes.”

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the consulate attack.

“Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” the Iranian mission to the United Nations said, warning the U.S. to “stay away.” However, it also said Iran now “deemed the matter concluded.”

Iran warns Israel of a larger attack on its territory should it retaliate against Tehran’s overnight drone and missile attack on Sunday, adding that the United States has been warned not to back Israeli military action.

In its statement, the Singaporean government highlighted Iran’s attack as an act that exacerbates tensions in a region already fraught with conflict. The MFA expressed profound concern over the volatile situation, particularly with the ongoing war in Gaza, which it fears could lead to a more extensive regional conflict.

The Singapore MFA’s call to action urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation. It stressed the importance of focusing on humanitarian relief efforts, including an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and ensuring the unobstructed delivery of aid to civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza.

Furthermore, in light of the deteriorating security situation, the MFA advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to Iran and for those already there to remain vigilant and stay informed about ongoing developments.

It underscored the lack of a diplomatic mission in Iran, which restricts Singapore’s capacity to provide consular support directly, and encouraged Singaporean nationals in Iran to e-register with the ministry for easier communication in emergencies.

For assistance, Singaporeans in Iran can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/8855 or via email at [email protected].

The conflict in Gaza was initiated with a surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas against Israel on 7 October last year, resulting in 1,169 fatalities, primarily among civilians.

Many allegations of atrocities, such as the killing of babies, have been discredited, and reports of civilian casualties by Israeli forces, such as those involving a helicopter firing into a crowd at a music festival, have been scrutinized.

In the past 24 hours, the Israeli military has reported that it killed 52 Palestinians and injured 95 in the coastal region, increasing the total number of fatalities to 33,686 and the number of injuries to 76,309 since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a statement from the Gaza health ministry.