Iran’s retaliatory attacks on the UAE provoked a sharp reaction from Brussels. Von der Leyen speaks of a clear violation of international law and promises Europe’s firm stance.
The President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, spoke on the phone with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday evening and condemned Iran’s “unjustifiable attacks” on his country. Her comments came after Tehran carried out waves of retaliatory attacks following strikes by the US and Israel. At the same time, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, announced a virtual meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the member states on Sunday, reports TASR.
- Ursula von der Leyen condemned the Iranian attacks on the UAE.
- Europe has expressed support for victims and partners in the region.
- The attacks are labeled a violation of the UAE’s sovereignty.
- The EU calls for restraint and de-escalation of tensions.
- EU foreign ministers are addressing the situation in the Middle East.
“I have expressed our full support and condolences in connection with the Iranian strikes and the resulting victims. Europe strongly condemns these unjustifiable attacks,” wrote the head of the EC on the social network X. “These attacks represent a gross violation of the sovereignty of the UAE and a clear violation of international law. Europe stands in full solidarity with partners throughout the region,” she said.
She called for de-escalation
Earlier, in a joint statement with the President of the European Council, António Costa, Leyen called for “maximum restraint” and told the actors of the conflict to prevent further escalation.
The current situation will be addressed by EU foreign ministers on Sunday. According to Kallas, at the announced extraordinary meeting of the EU Council for Foreign Affairs, the heads of the member states’ diplomacy will “deal with Iran and the rapidly developing events in the Middle East”.
According to Kallasova, it is essential that the war in the region does not expand further. “The Iranian regime’s reckless attacks on its neighbors risk dragging the region into a wider war, and we condemn it,” she wrote on X.
