After the US strikes on Iran, problems have taken over not only the Middle East region, but also the entire world – oil prices are rising, stock prices are falling and air traffic is disrupted, while European countries are preoccupied not only with the need to evacuate their citizens from the war zone, but also with the inability to take a unified position on the Iranian issue, writes the BBC.
Since the joint attack on Iran by the US and Israel at the very end of February, Europe has been seemingly uncoordinated, and there are sharp differences of opinion on what action should be taken. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and French President Emmanuel Macron have condemned the US action, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially refused to allow the Americans to use British military bases but then changed his mind, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the White House, where he acted carefully so as not to offend US President Donald Trump.
Every European country is understandably concerned about the safety of its citizens, and is considering when and how to evacuate tens of thousands of people who are in the Middle East. There is also concern about the impact that a war in the Middle East will have on consumers in Europe, for example, how it will affect fuel and, consequently, food prices. The European economy has already been hit by Russian aggression, with Moscow waging a four-year war against Ukraine.
Politically, Europe is trying to find a common position. The continent’s big three – France, Germany and Britain – initially managed to issue a joint statement warning Iran that they were ready to defend themselves if Tehran did not stop the attacks. Britain then agreed to allow the US to use its military bases so that Americans could strike Iranian missile launchers, but
Trump has expressed dissatisfaction, indicating that Britain could take more active action.
The main concern of the Europeans is to avoid alienation from Trump, and they hope that the conflict in the Middle East will not distract the US president from resolving another conflict, namely achieving peace in Ukraine. However, the question is whether the evasive attitude of some European leaders to the legality of US actions in Venezuela or Iran is not a certain twilight zone. Europeans have often indicated that they are guided by common values, one of the main of which is respect for international law.
Spain’s Sanchez has spoken clearly. He indicated on social media that one can both stand against a hostile regime, in this case Iran, and at the same time be against unjustified, dangerous military intervention that violates international law. After Spain informed that its military bases should not be used to strike Tehran, American aircraft left Spanish bases on the 2nd of March. Politico writes that Sanchez criticized the United States and Israel for attacking Iran before it had discussed the issue with the international community, and condemned the attack, which would plunge the entire region into terror and cause instability throughout the world. Madrid’s decision on the 3rd of March provoked a sharp reaction from Trump, and he promised to sever all trade ties with Spain.
The American also emphasized that he did not need Spain’s permission to use military bases on its territory.
The French president also pointed out that the strikes on Iran were carried out without taking into account international law, and Paris cannot support them. While the German Chancellor tried to avoid direct criticism of Trump on the 3rd of March, Macron sided with Sanchez. Politico reports that Macron said in his speech that despite Trump’s belief in a resolution of the situation within a few days or weeks, there is no end in sight to the conflict. The Frenchman said that strikes to weaken Iran would continue, and that Iranian retaliatory strikes on targets in the Middle East were also expected. Macron has provided assistance to Cyprus by sending air defense systems there, and noted that Cyprus, as a member of the European Union with which it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement, needs support.
Meanwhile, the European Union’s overall response is unclear. The bloc’s foreign ministers’ joint statement did not express support for regime change in Iran, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed it on social media, writing that credible change is urgently needed in Iran.
Reuters writes that the German Chancellor, meeting with Trump at the White House, pointed out that
neither the United States nor Israel had asked Germany to directly intervene in the conflict.
He stressed that he agreed with the US on the need to get rid of the Iranian regime, and that there would also be discussions about what to do when the strikes end. Trump also stressed that the Americans are not demanding that German soldiers be sent to the conflict zone, it is enough for the Germans to allow the use of military bases.
In the tense situation, Europeans are trying to strengthen mutual cooperation and create defense systems that rely less on US assistance, but the challenge of finding a common position is also becoming greater.
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