France, Germany and the United Kingdom have issued a rare joint statement urging Iran to seek a negotiated solution following recent attacks in the region. The leaders of the three European nations made clear they did not participate in US-Israeli strikes against Iran, but called on Tehran to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and cease destabilising activities.
The statement, signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, condemned Iranian retaliatory attacks on US army bases. It said: 'We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution.'
The European Union also expressed concern, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling the developments 'greatly concerning'. She said the EU was exploring diplomatic paths with Arab nations and called for maximum restraint to protect civilians and respect international law. The EU's Aspides naval mission remains on high alert in the Red Sea.
Macron called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting, warning the escalation had 'serious consequences' for international peace and security. In the UK, Starmer chaired a Cobra emergency committee meeting, with a government spokesperson stating Britain stood ready to protect its interests but did not wish to see further escalation.
In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain described Iranian ballistic missiles that targeted sites within their borders as a 'flagrant violation' of sovereignty. Qatar said it had downed missiles targeting the country, while Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks in the strongest terms. Russia demanded an immediate halt to US and Israeli strikes and called for a political and diplomatic settlement.
