Protesters in Rome rally against US, Israeli strikes on Iran

Large protests took place in Rome on Saturday as trade unions and social groups rallied against military actions by the United States and Israel targeting Iran.

Demonstrators said the escalating tensions in the Middle East risk further destabilizing the region and increasing global tensions.

Saturday's rally was one of the largest recent demonstrations in the Italian capital opposing the strikes on Iran. Protesters said European countries should avoid being drawn into new military confrontations and instead push for diplomacy and dialogue to ease regional tensions.

For some, the strikes reflect a broader narrative of heightened tensions around the world, which they hope will be reigned in.

"The genocide in Palestine is still ongoing. Venezuela has been subjected to aggression. And now Iran is being bombed. We oppose dragging the world into war. We demand the right of people in every country to live in peace, and we call for peaceful diplomatic solutions," said Giuliano Granato, spokesperson of Power to the People, a political party in Italy.

Others emphasized that military conflicts may be used by governments as a distraction from the plight of everyday people.

"We are paying the price for these wars. It is workers, retirees and people on fixed incomes who are bearing the cost. We hope the government will take measures to address these economic impacts," said Guido Lutrario, member of the national executive of Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), an Italian labor union.

More than 1,300 people have been killed in Israeli and American strikes, Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday, citing Iranian officials.

Protesters in Rome rally against US, Israeli strikes on Iran

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on social media on Saturday that the dialog between Cuba and the United States does not touch on the internal affairs or constitutional systems of either country, nor does it address their respective political, economic or social models.

He emphasized that Cuba is willing to engage in serious and responsible dialog with the U.S. government, seeking ways to resolve bilateral differences based on international law and mutual respect for sovereignty.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Friday that Cuba had held talks with the United States to discuss key differences between the two countries and possible solutions through dialog.

The president blamed the U.S. energy blockade for exerting significant pressure on Cuba, saying no petroleum shipments have arrived on the island in the past three months.

Dialog With U.S. exclude internal affairs: Cuban foreign minister