Europe Divided Over US-Israel Attack on Iran
Brussels (ANTARA) - European countries remain divided in responding to the US-Israel attack on Iran as Washington presses its allies to back the military operation. Several EU members and the United Kingdom call for respect for international law and de-escalation. However, they still lack a coordinated strategy as the crisis in the Middle East deepens and could have global repercussions.
On Wednesday 4 March, White House Press Secretary Karine Leavitt said US President Donald Trump expected ‘all European allies’ to back the United States and Israel. Trump openly criticised the doubts of several European governments and taunted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after London declined to back the strike. ‘This is not the Winston Churchill we are facing,’ Trump said, referring to Starmer’s stance that Britain does not support ‘regime change from the skies.’ The EU called for restraint and heightened diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, warning that a protracted war could have serious global consequences.
EU foreign ministers held an emergency video conference after the hostilities broke out to assess the situation in Iran and the surrounding region. In a joint statement, the bloc voiced ‘deep concern’ and urged maximum restraint from all parties. A spokesperson for the European Commission said the EU would continue to back a diplomatic solution to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The bloc also underlined the importance of protecting civilians and respecting international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law.
EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas warned that the escalating crisis reflected a growing erosion of respect for international law. ‘Without restoring international law and accountability, we will continue to witness violations of the law, disruption, and chaos,’ she said.
Britain adopted a cautious approach, combining criticism of Iran with calls for diplomacy. Starmer defended the decision not to participate in the attack, saying the best solution is ‘an negotiated deal with Iran, whereby they relinquish their nuclear ambitions.’ Britain had briefly restricted the use of Diego Garcia by the US, but later allowed the facility to be used to support regional defence and Israel’s security. Britain also increased defensive military presence in the region by deploying additional Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar.
France emphasised international law. President Emmanuel Macron warned that military action outside international law could undermine global stability and urged an emergency discussion at the UN Security Council. Paris sought to avoid direct confrontation with Washington but condemned Iran’s retaliatory strike. France allowed temporary US aircraft to operate from several bases with the guarantee that they would not be used to attack Iran but only to support regional defence. France also deployed the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and other military assets to the region to protect its interests, including bases in Abu Dhabi.
Dutch PM Rob Jetten also acknowledged the threat posed by Iran to regional security but judged that US and Israel attacks on Iran were not in line with international law.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Iran as a primary security threat and said decades of sanctions and diplomacy had failed to halt Tehran’s destabilising activities. During his visit to the White House earlier this week, Trump praised Merz as ‘a very good leader,’ while highlighting Berlin’s decision to allow US troops to use Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Merz said Western governments shared an interest in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but warned of the risks of protracted conflict. ‘Endless war is not in our interests,’ Merz said, adding that the collapse of the Iranian state could have wide-ranging consequences for Europe, including for energy supplies, security, and migration.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the attack on Iran an ‘extremely serious mistake’ and warned that the conflict could threaten global stability. Madrid also refused to permit US troops to use air and sea bases in Spain to launch attacks on Iran. That decision drew sharp criticism from Trump, who threatened to sever trade ties with Spain. Sánchez defended the decision, saying alliances should allow room for differences of view. ‘We will not take a stance contrary to our values and principles because of fear of retaliation from others. We say no to war,’ he said.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the US-Israel military operation was ‘outside international law’ and warned that the regional situation could deteriorate further. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasised that Italy is not at war and urged diplomacy to prevent a broader regional conflict. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also warned that the conflict could have ‘completely unpredictable’ consequences.
Eastern Europe backs the US. Conversely, several Eastern European states gave clearer political support to the operation led by the US. Polish President Karol Nawrocki viewed Iran’s actions as threatening international stability, although Poland said it would not directly participate in the military campaign. Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Warsaw had not received a request to participate in the US operation against Iran. Czech PM Petr Fiala called Iran’s nuclear programme a serious threat to international security and assessed that the US attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities …