Germany, Britain and France said Monday Iran was responsible for the attack on Saudi oil facilities earlier this month and called on Tehran to avoid further "provocation."
"It is clear for us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack. There is no other explanation," French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a joint statement after meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, DW reported.
But three European powers — all signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal the United States withdrew from — stressed that diplomacy was the answer to avoid a potential conflict in the Middle East.
Emanuel Macron: It is clear for us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack. There is no other explanation.
But three European powers — all signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal the United States withdrew from — stressed that diplomacy was the answer to avoid a potential conflict in the Middle East.
"The time has come for Iran to accept a long term negotiation framework for its nuclear program, as well as regional security issues, which include its missile programs," the statement read.
"We call on Iran to commit to such a dialogue and to avoid any new provocation and escalation," they said. "The attacks also highlight the need for a de-escalation in the region, for sustained diplomatic efforts and engagement with all sides."
The joint statement at the UN General Assembly is likely to pile pressure on Iran after the United States and Saudi Arabia already blamed Tehran for being behind the September 14 attack that temporarily knocked out half of the kingdom's oil output.
Iran-aligned Houthi rebels fighting a Saudi-led coalition intervention in Yemen claimed credit for the sophisticated air attack, but US officials have said it was likely launched from Iran or Iraq.Iran has denied any involvement, saying that the Houthi rebels "have every reason to retaliate" for the Saudi-led coalition's bombardment of their country.