Europeans Urge Restraint in Reaction to U.S. and Israeli Strikes on Iran

European leaders are responding to the joint American and Israeli attacks on Iran with messages of caution and concern. A major military attack hit targets across Iran on Saturday. “The developments in Iran are greatly concerning. We remain in close contact with our partners in the region,” the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said in a message on X that was also shared by the president of the European Council, António Costa.“We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability. Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance.”The vice president of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, described the situation in a social media message as “perilous.”“I have spoken to Israel’s Foreign Minister [Gideon] Saar and other ministers in the region. The EU is also coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths,” Ms. Kallas said. “Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority.”The Jerusalem Post cited Israeli officials saying Ayatollah Khamenei had been cut off from communication and that their preliminary assessment was that the supreme leader had been injured but not killed. The Post quoted multiple sources saying Iran’s defense minister, Amir Nasirzadeh, and the Revolutionary Guards commander, Mohammed Pakpour, were believed to have been died in the attacks.The French leader said he was prepared to lend military support. “The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a message posted on X. “France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it.”“The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop,” Mr. Macron continued. “The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilization activities. This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East.”The French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, said that the United Nations Security Council would meet on Saturday afternoon to “address the situation in Iran and the Middle East” after a request from France.The prime minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson. said on X: “We see a serious escalation of events in Iran and the region. Together with the EU, Sweden has already imposed sanctions on the Iranian regime.”He added that his country stands with the Iranian people and Sweden’s allies in the West. “We call for restraint, the protection of civilians, and respect for international law,” Mr. Kristersson said.The president of Poland, Karol Nawrocki said on X that he was monitoring the fighting through “allied and coalition channels.”“Currently, the priority is to ensure the safety of all Poles in the Middle East region, including diplomats and soldiers from our military contingents. I remain in constant contact with NATO allies and state institutions,” he wrote.Unlike most of its NATO allies, Spain bluntly criticized the attacks. “We reject the unilateral military action by the United States and Israel, which represents an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on X. Mr. Sánchez also criticized “the actions of the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard.”“We cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East,” he said. “We demand immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law.”Russia condemned the attack as a “pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state.”The foreign ministry claimed, in a statement posted to Telegram, that American and Israeli officials were hiding behind concerns over Iran’s nuclear program to carry out regime change.

Europeans Urge Restraint in Reaction to U.S. and Israeli Strikes on Iran

Europeans Urge Restraint in Reaction to U.S. and Israeli Strikes on Iran

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