Major European powers align with Trump on Iran

BrusselsThe three major European powers – Germany, the United Kingdom, and France – have closed ranks with the United States and Israel on Iran. In a statement, they announced their agreement to "work together with the US and its allies in the region" and warned Iran that they are prepared to intervene in the conflict. "We will take measures to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region," the statement warns.

The three countries denounced the "indiscriminate and disproportionate" Iranian missile attacks on several countries in the region They criticize Iran for spreading the conflict throughout the region. Furthermore, the European powers, key allies of Tel Aviv, warn that the Iranian regime's "reckless attacks have targeted its allies" and threaten the safety of its military and civilian personnel across the region. The joint statement agreed upon by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron calls on Iran to "immediately" halt these attacks. Otherwise, the three major European powers warn that they are prepared to intervene "potentially with necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran's ability to launch missiles and drones."

The text agreed upon by the three major European powers clearly opens the door to the involvement of European military forces in the event of a potential escalation of conflict in the region. It is worth remembering that France and the United Kingdom, the countries with the greatest military capabilities on the continent, possess nuclear weapons and are members of the UN Security Council. As for Germany, it is one of the European partners rearming at the fastest pace, and is Europe's closest ally to Israel.

The EU is fracturing

The statement from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany contrasts sharply with the position agreed upon by all member states of the European Union that same weekend. The text agreed upon by the bloc called for caution to prevent "events from leading to a further escalation" of the conflict with "unpredictable consequences," including for the security of Europe. In fact, the German Chancellor publicly criticized some member states for their reluctance to intervene, as Berlin, London, and Paris warned in their separate statement. However, the European bloc also avoids condemning—or even amending—the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory, and fails to reiterate the obligation of all parties—which could be seen as a wake-up call to the White House—to comply with international law, which increasingly seems to have become a mere formality. "We will continue to contribute to all diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and achieve a lasting solution that prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," the statement agreed upon by the member states simply states.

Spain has once again taken the strongest stance against the intervention of the Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu administrations. Pedro Sánchez has been the only leader in the European bloc to openly criticize it, asserting that it represents an "escalation of the conflict" and, once again, a violation of international law. "We cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East. We call for an immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law," the Socialist leader declared.

Sánchez's position, although a minority one within the European Union, along with that of other European partners, prevented the virtual meeting of EU foreign ministers held this Sunday from issuing a statement along the lines desired by Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. In fact, although they haven't expressed it with the same forcefulness as Spain, there are other member states that are also uncomfortable with the warning from the three major European powers, which opens the door to direct involvement, and are advocating for a more moderate stance. In this regard, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, published a message in which she also ignored the attacks by the US and Israel, and called for "de-escalation" and "halting the spread of the conflict." The head of the EU executive also stated that the European Union "must be prepared for the consequences of recent events" and, therefore, has convened a meeting on Security of the commissioners who make up the EU executive. Conversely, the meeting of EU foreign ministers that was scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in Cyprus has been postponed for security reasons following the explosions at the British base in Akrotiri, located in Cypriot territory.