EU Urges De-escalation as Israel-Iran Tensions Rise Over Nuclear Threat
The European Union has called for an immediate halt to the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, urging both sides to return to negotiations. EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for diplomacy to prevent further escalation.
Von der Leyen stressed that Iran must not develop nuclear capabilities, while Kallas described the possibility as a significant threat to international security. The EU leaders’ comments come after the US joined Israel’s conflict with Iran, striking Iranian nuclear sites.
Kallas and von der Leyen took to social media to express their concerns, with Kallas urging all parties to step back and return to the negotiating table. Von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that diplomacy is the only way to end the crisis.
The EU’s top diplomats, including Kallas, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday, alongside French, German, and British counterparts. They encouraged Tehran to revive diplomatic efforts with the US to resolve the standoff over its nuclear program.
However, Iran has made it clear that it will only consider diplomacy if Israel stops its attacks. Antonio Costa, head of the European Council, warned that further escalation would harm civilians and stressed that diplomacy is the only solution to bring peace and security to the region.
The situation is expected to dominate the agenda at an upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
