Addressing the Security Council, the Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN, Ambassador Aglaia Balta, expressed “Greece’s deep concern following today’s escalation” in Iran, underlining that “our goal should be to return to substantive negotiations towards a peaceful settlement in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”

Stressing the need for immediate de-escalation, Greece noted that “restraint is imperative,” warning that “the risk of a broader regional confrontation, with potentially serious consequences for international peace and security, is real.”

“Faced with the consequences of a protracted crisis”
Ms. Balta warned that “in the absence of a swift diplomatic solution, we may find ourselves faced with the consequences of a protracted crisis,” calling on all parties “to show restraint, prevent a further escalation of violence, and work urgently to re-open credible channels of dialogue.”

Greece “strongly condemns the Iranian attacks on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.”

Regarding the Iranian nuclear program, Greece reiterated that “Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon” and warned that “the accumulation of significant quantities of uranium enriched to 60% by a non-nuclear-weapon state raises serious proliferation concerns and has no credible political justification.”

“Diplomacy, the only viable path”
It stressed that “full cooperation with the IAEA and strict compliance with international obligations are essential,” adding that “strong, permanent and verifiable oversight of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs is a prerequisite for stability in the region.”

Greece stressed that “diplomacy, based on verification and transparency, remains the only viable path forward.”

“Maritime security must be respected”
Regarding maritime security, Greece stressed that “security in the Gulf, the Straits of Hormuz and the Red Sea must be fully respected by all sides - especially now more than ever”, noting that “stability is of paramount importance”.

It called on Iran and its allies “to refrain from any retaliation that could jeopardize freedom of navigation, threaten commercial shipping or further destabilize global energy and trade flows, constituting a flagrant violation of the International Law of the Sea, as reflected in UNCLOS”.

“Protecting civilians a priority”
Ms. Balta stressed that “the protection of civilians and respect for international law must remain absolute priorities”, noting that “civilians must not bear the cost of military escalation” and warning that “the humanitarian consequences of further confrontation could be serious”.

She noted that “the stakes for regional and global peace are extremely high” and called on Iran “to engage immediately in substantive and good faith negotiations with the aim of achieving a lasting solution that will come after negotiation”, underlining that “failure is not an option”.

The United States has begun the process of removing hundreds of troops from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US air base in the Middle East, in anticipation of a possible military operation that Donald Trump may order against Iran.

At the same time, Reuters reports that personnel are also being removed from other bases in the Middle East, without specifically mentioning which ones the process concerns.

An Iranian official, Reuters adds, had stated that Tehran had warned neighboring countries that it would strike American bases if Washington proceeds with strikes.

According to a US official and another person with knowledge of the relevant processes who spoke to NBC News, military personnel stationed at the base are being moved to other facilities and hotels in the wider area.

Three diplomats told Reuters that some personnel had been asked to leave the base, although there was no immediate indication that large numbers of troops were being moved to a soccer field and shopping mall, as happened hours before the Iranian missile attack last spring.

The move is intended to remove them from potential danger in case a US strike provokes retaliation from Tehran.

Al Udeid is a key operational hub for US forces in the Middle East and is home to thousands of troops, as well as critical air and administrative infrastructure.

This preemptive personnel removal underscores the degree of concern in Washington about the possibility of escalation and the scope of possible Iranian reactions in the event of a military strike, while at the same time it is the first recorded - official American movement in the wider region around Iran.

“Possible US intervention within the next 24 hours”

Two European officials told Reuters that US military intervention seemed likely - one, in fact, said that it could take place within the next 24 hours.

An Israeli official said for his part that Trump appeared to have made the decision to intervene, although the scope and timing of the intervention have not yet been determined.

"Under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek Embassies in Tehran and Baku, an evacuation operation was successfully completed-under extremely adverse conditions-of 16 Greek citizens and members of their families from Iran to Azerbaijan," according to a foreign ministry announcement on Thursday.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic authorities of Greece in the region are making every possible effort to ensure the safe repatriation of Greek citizens," the announcement stated.