Europe issues a very pragmatic no to war from Iran to Donald Trump. The European Union is seeking a diplomatic solution to Washington’s warmongering, which has demanded that its European allies mount a mission to forcibly open the way to merchant shipping. The Twenty-Seven, who this Thursday at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels have sent a resounding message in favor of multilateralism and against the world disorder caused by the American president and Israel by attacking Iran, in which they question the motivation and that they do not consider a war in Europe. In conclusion to a summit marked by conflict, European leaders ask that “all parties comply” with international law and demand a moratorium on attacks on energy and civil infrastructure in the region.
In addition, they advocate a de-escalation and negotiating with Iran to allow ships to pass through the , a geostrategic point considered the main route through which oil reaches world markets. The blockade due to the conflict has led to an escalation in energy prices and could lead to a food crisis, as fertilizers are also blocked.
For Europe, the situation is enormously worrying. The conflict has spread throughout the region and is where the Twenty-seven are preparing to approve urgent measures to contain the price of oil, gas and electricity. But even so, the member states believe that the solution lies in dialogue and not in bombs, as Trump suggests. Of course, in a European Union that also includes the bishops of the Republican magnate, such as Slovakia or Hungary, or some Baltic countries afraid of angering Washington, the leaders do not openly criticize the head of the White House. Neither to Israel nor to Benjamin Netanyahu. And yes to the ayatollah regime.
The situation in the Middle East is “extremely serious” and is causing “great instability, suffering and increasing risks” beyond the region, recalled the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the end of the summit. For this reason, he agreed in a message that the President of the European Council, António Costa, has also sent: from Europe “we continue to call for de-escalation and maximum containment, for the protection of civilians and energy and civil infrastructure,” both have stressed.
“In the Middle East, Iran’s attacks against Qatar’s energy infrastructure generate even more chaos, and it is clear that we need a way out of this war, not an escalation,” Kaja Kallas, high representative for Foreign Policy and Security, had also warned at the beginning of the summit, explaining that these days she has been carrying out “diplomatic efforts” with Iran to find alternative solutions. Although with the latest assassinations of leaders of the Tehran regime, the EU has fewer and fewer interlocutors left, diplomatic sources acknowledge. Another issue that clashes with international law and that worries Europe more than is necessarily expressed out loud.
“There is a moral and political demand to stop this war,” he declared upon his arrival at the European Council, the toughest leader from the beginning with Trump and Netanyahu. “This is an illegal war that we are already beginning to suffer,” remarked the President of the Spanish Government, who decided that the conflict in Iran “is not in the interest of Europe.” “We want Europe to defend its principles: an order based on rules and not the law of the strongest,” he added.
Sánchez has been adding assets to Trump’s anti-war stance. “We have not launched these attacks and we are obviously not involved,” reiterated French President Emmanuel Macron.
to send a military mission to guarantee navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. But only when the bombs fall silent. At the proposal of Macron, the Twenty-Seven have endorsed the idea of a moratorium to stop attacks on energy facilities and water plants. France had indicated that a good time to start this moratorium is to make it coincide with religious holidays such as the one nearby to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
“It is absolutely essential to put an end to this situation, resume dialogue and negotiation and then, within an appropriate and non-conflictual international framework, gradually allow the resumption of maritime transport through the Strait of Hormuz, thus enabling the recirculation of oil, gas and fertilizers,” said Thursday in Brussels the head of the Elysée, who has already initiated contacts in the region on the moratorium and on the creation of that “defensive” mission for Hormuz that would depart only when conditions, something that has also been welcomed by the rest of the community partners.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also been explicit. “I want us to send a clear signal that we are willing to help. But for that to happen, the fighting must stop,” he said. “I am especially grateful that the American president has given a signal that he is also willing to end hostilities. This, however, presupposes that Iran abandons its nuclear program, puts an end to terrorism and is willing to dialogue. If all this is possible in the coming days, we will be moving in the right direction,” he remarked in reference to the erratic and contradictory comments of Trump, who has assured that the war he launched on February 28 will end “very soon.”
Furthermore, even among the countries willing to send military support of some kind to somewhat appease the slap that Trump has received from Europe in recent days, the underlying message is crystal clear, as the new Dutch Prime Minister, Rob Jetten, has also highlighted: “This war was started by the United States and Israel against Iran, which I can understand because Iran is a brutal regime (…), but it is not a war of which we are part.” And not only a ceasefire will be enough, Merz pointed out: “In addition, an international mandate will be needed, something that we do not have at the moment.” A requirement that will require talking to Iran, several capitals agree.
And in the face of the global disorder and turbulence created by Trump, Europe clings to the rules-based international order at a summit in which the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, participated. “The multilateral system is a fundamental instrument to protect the international order based on rules. And it is evident that there is no alternative to this order, since the alternative is chaos, it is the war in Ukraine, unfair competition in trade, the threat to the sovereignty of Greenland and the threat to sovereignty in other parts of the world,” Costa launched when receiving his compatriot. “It is time for the force of law to prevail over the law of force,” said Guterres.
