The EU calls for immediate negotiations following the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities
The European Union has strongly advocated for diplomacy in response to the recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The attacks, which have heightened tensions in the region, prompted swift reactions from senior EU officials. Among them was the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, who announced an urgent meeting of the 27 EU foreign ministers scheduled for Monday. The purpose of the meeting, she stated, is to discuss the unfolding situation and coordinate a unified European approach.
In a message posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, Kallas urged calm and restraint from all sides. “I urge all parties to step back, return to the negotiating table, and refrain from further escalating the situation,” she wrote. She emphasized that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, as doing so would pose a severe threat to international peace and security. Kallas concluded her message by reiterating the EU’s commitment to diplomacy and its readiness to support dialogue efforts.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed these sentiments, calling for “stability” and “respect for international law”. Although she refrained from directly commenting on the U.S. airstrikes, von der Leyen made it clear that diplomacy should be the only path forward. “The negotiating table is the only place to end this crisis,” she stated, urging Iran to pursue “a credible diplomatic solution,” and reaffirming that the country must never acquire nuclear weapons.
European Council President António Costa also voiced serious concerns. “I am deeply alarmed by the news coming from the Middle East,” he said. Costa urged all involved parties to exercise restraint and uphold both international law and nuclear safety standards. “Diplomacy remains the only path to peace and security in the Middle East,” he added, warning of further civilian casualties if tensions continue to rise.
The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while acknowledging that Tehran has not been fully transparent, confirmed it has found no concrete evidence of an active nuclear weapons program in Iran. Nonetheless, the agency called for full cooperation from Iranian authorities moving forward.
