Vietnam urges restraint as US-Israel-Iran conflict escalates

The foreign ministry's spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the statement on Saturday in response to reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s reaction to the latest developments in the region.

She said the escalating and increasingly complex situation poses a grave threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.

“Vietnam calls upon all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately end all escalatory actions, protect civilians and essential infrastructure, and resolve differences through peaceful means in strict accordance with international law, the United Nations Charter, and relevant UN resolutions,” Hang said.

The parties concerned must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations and create favorable conditions for peace negotiations to ensure security, safety, peace, and stability in the region and around the world, she added.

Her remarks came on the same day the U.S. and Israel carried out pre-emptive strikes on multiple targets in Iran.

Tehran later responded by launching missiles at several U.S. bases in the Middle East and carrying out attacks on Israeli territory.

International media reported that Iranian forces struck a U.S. naval base in Bahrain after firing ‘dozens’ of ballistic missiles toward Israel.

It also declared that all U.S. military bases and interests in the Middle East had been placed ‘within range.’

Amid the unfolding situation, the ministry and other relevant agencies have instructed Vietnam’s representative missions in Iran and Israel to coordinate closely with domestic authorities, Vietnamese missions in neighboring countries in the Middle East, and host-country agencies and diplomatic corps to monitor developments.

They have also been directed to stand ready to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of Vietnamese citizens and the headquarters of the missions.

According to the latest updates from the Vietnamese missions in Israel and Iran, all Vietnamese nationals in the two countries remain safe.

The ministry has advised Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Iran or Israel, or to nearby areas affected by the conflict, unless absolutely necessary.

Vietnamese nationals currently in Iran, Israel, and adjacent conflict-affected areas are urged to maintain regular contact with Vietnam’s representative missions and closely follow their guidance.

They are also advised to comply strictly with host-country regulations on movement and heed all safety warnings issued by the ministry.

For assistance, Vietnamese citizens in Iran and Israel can contact the citizen protection hotlines of the Vietnamese embassies in the two countries or the ministry’s citizen protection call center.

The hotline in Israel is +972555025616 or +972508783373.

In Iran, the hotline is +989339658252 (direct line) or +989334609074 (WhatsApp, Viber).

The citizen protection call center of the ministry’s Consular Department can be reached at +84981848484 or +8496541118, or via email at baohocongdan@gmail.com.