Commenting on the situation in the Middle East, First Minister John Swinney said:
“The conflict in the Middle East has escalated to an intensely more dangerous and alarming level as a result of the US intervention overnight, which risks spiralling into disaster for the region and the wider world.
“The world finds itself at a profoundly dangerous moment and must pull itself back from the brink.
“I agree with the Secretary-General of the United Nations that we need to see immediate de-escalation and an end to the conflict through diplomacy.
“It is vital that the UK Government takes any and all steps it can through diplomatic channels to insist upon that.
“We also call on Iran to return to negotiations.
“And while the danger is clearly greatest for those in the region, make no mistake that this situation is a threat to us all.
“The consequences for international peace and security could be severe and it is vital that all nations work through the United Nations to de-escalate this conflict and bring about peace.”
