German Chancellor Scholz calls on Iran to exercise restraint

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on Iran to exercise restraint after Israeli retaliatory attacks on military sites during the night.

"This should not go on and on, with massive escalatory reactions taking place now, but it has to come to an end now so that an opportunity for peaceful development in the Middle East can be opened up," Scholz said during a visit to Goa, India.

The Israeli army said it carried out "precise and targeted" attacks on military installations in response to the October 1 Iranian missile attacks on Israel.

It tried to minimize the loss of human life, Scholz said. "And of course this serves to ensure that there is now the possibility of avoiding a further escalation."

The most important measure now would be for the proposals for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of the hostages held there to be accepted by all parties, said the chancellor.

Regarding the fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah, he called on the militia to withdraw behind the Litani River in accordance with UN Resolution 1701.