Top EU officials warned on Friday against further escalation in the Middle East, following the Israeli attack on Iran.
“The reports emerging from the Middle East are deeply alarming,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. “Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in the early hours, said she stands “ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation.”
European Council President António Costa likewise expressed concern and urged restraint. “A further dangerous escalation must be avoided, it would destabilise the whole region,” he wrote on X.
Overnight, Israel began a major attack on Iranian cities and nuclear facilities. According to Israeli reports, Iran is retaliating with drone attacks which have been shot down.
