EU welcomes Trump's decision to delay attack on Iran's energy sector

Istanbul - The European Union on Monday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily halt attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days, and welcomed all forms of restraint. Speaking at a European Commission press conference, Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc supports all efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East. “I will reiterate what our leaders have said – a clear call for de-escalation and maximum restraint. Therefore, all forms of restraint are welcome,” he told reporters. El Anouni said the European Union remains actively engaged diplomatically with regional and international partners to prevent further escalation, and noted ongoing contacts with key actors, including Iran and Gulf countries. He underlined that the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has maintained “continuous contact” with counterparts across the region, including Turkey, Qatar, and Iran, as part of efforts to address the crisis and promote dialogue. On Monday, Trump stated that he had ordered a five-day delay for all attacks on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure, citing “very good and productive” talks with Tehran over the weekend. US-Israel attacks on Iran began on 28 February, with Tehran retaliating through repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.