EU urges restraint in Middle East amid fears of escalation
'Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately,' says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Israeli strikes leave damage in residential areas in Tehran
BRUSSELS
EU officials on Friday called on all parties in the Middle East to show maximum restraint and avoid further escalation amid growing tensions in the region.
"The reports emerging from the Middle East are deeply alarming," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X after overnight Israeli strikes on Iran.
She stressed that a diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever "for the sake of the region’s stability and global security," adding: "Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation."
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed von der Leyen's calls for restraint, urging all parties in the Middle East to avoid further escalation amid growing tensions in the region.
"The situation in the Middle East is dangerous. I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation," Kallas wrote on X, adding that she stands ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation.
EU Council President Antonio Costa also voiced concern and urged diplomacy, saying on X: "I'm deeply worried by the latest events in the Middle East. A further dangerous escalation must be avoided, it would destabilise the whole region."
Separately, during a midday briefing in Brussels, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said the bloc would continue to make all efforts to urge Israel to show restraint and avoid further escalation in the Middle East.
Conceding that EU efforts over the last 18 month have not worked, she said in response to a question: "Our wish that it did, and we will continue to make use of all tools at our disposal to this rate from any escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which obviously has repercussions also, beyond the region.”
Israel launched a sweeping military operation against Iran early Friday, with strikes targeting its nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities, Israeli Army Radio reported.
Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency and closed its airspace, diverting all flights to other countries, Hebrew-language media reported.
A total of 200 Israeli planes struck Iran in its attack, the Israeli army said.
