US-Iran war rhetoric was frightening, Austrian president says, backing talks

VIENNA, April 8 (Reuters) - Threats made in recent days over the conflict in the Middle East were "frightening", Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said on Wednesday, warning against attacks on civilian infrastructure and calling for serious peace talks.

"It is good the realization has been reached that conflicts cannot be resolved through war rhetoric and escalation," he said on X, referring to a two-week ceasefire agreed overnight. "The threats that have been made public in recent days were, frankly, frightening," he added, without specifying which ones.