EU urges ‘all sides to step back, prevent further escalation’ after US strikes Iran
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The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas described the possibility of a nuclear bomb as “a threat to international security”.
PHOTO: AFP
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BRUSSELS – The European Union called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations after the United States joined Israel’s war with Iran
Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign on Iran on June 13
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Iran “must never acquire the bomb” and the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas described the possibility as “a threat to international security”.
But both stressed that Brussels remained committed to diplomacy at a flashpoint moment for the Middle East.
Ms Kallas wrote on X: “I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation.” She added that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on June 23.
Dr von der Leyen echoed this, also writing on the social media platform: “The negotiating table is the only place to end this crisis.”
Top diplomats from the bloc’s 27 nations were already due to gather in Brussels for talks on a range of issues, from Russia’s war in Ukraine to Gaza, but Iran is now expected to dominate the agenda.
The appeal came after Ms Kallas joined top diplomats from France, Germany and Britain for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on June 20.
The European powers had urged Tehran to revive diplomatic efforts with the United States to find a solution in the standoff over its nuclear programme.
But Iran had retorted that it could only consider diplomacy once Israel halted its bombardment of the Islamic republic.
Mr Antonio Costa, the head of the European Council representing EU member states, said on June 22: “Diplomacy remains the only way to bring peace and security to the Middle East region. Too many civilians will once again be the victims of a further escalation.”
