Europe scrambles to revive diplomacy after the US struck Iran’s nuclear program over the weekend. The attack led to a retaliatory Iranian missile strike on a US base in Qatar, further escalating tensions in the region.
European nations, including the EU, Britain, France, and Germany, have called for Tehran to enter talks with Washington. However, Iran has reached out to ally Russia for support instead. European diplomats are worried about the potential for Iranian retaliation to spark a wider war and global economic instability.
The E3 group of countries held a tense meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday, but no further talks have been planned. US bombers struck three Iranian nuclear and military sites in an attack that left many wondering about the Trump administration’s intentions.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said “we reject all attempts to organize a change of regime by force.” Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but US intelligence agencies have assessed that Tehran is not actively pursuing a bomb. The US strikes have brought mixed emotions in European capitals, with some expressing relief at the prevention of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while others are prioritizing diplomacy as the way forward.
European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Starmer, are urging caution but remain optimistic that the conflict will not widen. They warn that leaving things the way they were is not an option, however, and that a diplomatic solution must be sought to prevent further escalation.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-us-strikes-europe-diplomacy-israel-114c02f97c8e0e1f5622a33b39802667