How every EU country responded to the strikes on Iran
From caution to condemnation, here’s the bloc’s reaction to America and Israel bombing Tehran.
BRUSSELS — Most European leaders have reacted cautiously to the U.S.-Israeli attacks over the weekend that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while condemning Tehran’s retaliatory strikes. Some have openly touted the possibility of a new regime in Iran.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchéz was the only EU leader to openly condemn the strikes on Iran.
Among EU officials, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “a credible transition in Iran is urgently needed,” while the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said “there is now an open path to a different Iran.”
European foreign ministers are meeting Sunday night for an emergency session on the Middle East after almost 36 hours of strikes and counterstrikes across the region.
Here is a roundup of reactions in EU capitals.
Austria
Chancellor Christian Stocker condemned the Iranian attacks on Persian Gulf states and Israel, and said the Iranian people “deserve a life in peace, security and prosperity.” Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said Khameini’s death “opens a window” for a new era in Iran.
Belgium
Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot condemned the attacks by Iran “in the strongest possible terms” and urged Belgian citizens in the Middle East to seek safety.
Bulgaria
The foreign ministry condemned Iran’s strikes on Gulf states, saying they expand “the scope of the dangerous military escalation for which it is responsible.” The ministry said Iran should stop its attacks.
Croatia
Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman emphasized de-escalation and a return to diplomacy after Khameini’s death. The foreign ministry lambasted Tehran’s “intransigence and lack of credibility,” which it said had led to the attack by the U.S. and Israel. It also condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes.
Cyprus
President Nikos Christodoulides condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks against Gulf countries and stressed the need for de-escalation and diplomacy.
Czechia
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the “uncontrollable Iranian nuclear program and support for terrorism are a danger to us and to all of Europe,” adding that Prague stands by its allies in the region. He later condemned Tehran’s attacks on Gulf countries.
Denmark
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said “Iran’s past actions are completely unacceptable.” Danish officials are “closely following” developments in the Middle East, he added.
Estonia
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said “the death of Ayatollah Khamenei represents a significant setback for Iran’s ally, Russia, and creates an opening for the Iranian people to shape their own future. Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon. Pressure through sanctions must be maintained until Iran ends its aggression abroad and repression against its own people at home.”
Finland
“Finland condemns Iran’s unjustifiable and indiscriminate strikes on the countries in the region,” President Alexander Stubb said. “Even those who were working toward a diplomatic solution are now being targeted.” He added the attacks must stop to protect civilians.
France
President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “disproportionate” Iranian response to the U.S.-Israeli attack and said Paris is “ready to deploy resources to protect its closest partners” in the Middle East, while warning that the conflict “carries grave consequences” for international peace. “The Iranian people must also be able to freely build their future,” he said.
France, along with E3 partners Germany and the U.K., said it had no involvement in the attacks on Iran. Later, the trio expressed willingness to assist in some capacity with the U.S. and Israeli action against the regime, “potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones at their source.”
Germany
Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran risk another Iraq-style quagmire, but said Berlin won’t lecture Washington as it seeks U.S. help to end the war in Ukraine. The German leader is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Merz also stressed that despite U.S. efforts, Iran hasn’t agreed to a nuclear deal or committed to reducing its missile program.
Merz’s warnings against protracted conflict were later echoed by British PM Keir Starmer during a video address. Starmer gave more detail on the extent to which the British government is willing to help the U.S. and Israel in the conflict, albeit in a defined and limited manner, than the initial E3 statement cowritten with Germany and France.
Greece
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed the safety of Greeks in the region and the need for effective control of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, according to local media.
Hungary
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Hungary is raising its counterterrorism level and used the strikes on Iran as a chance to talk about the Druzbha pipeline, a Russian oil conduit to Central Europe that he claims Ukraine is maliciously keeping shut.
Ireland
Ireland Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed grave concern about escalation in the Middle East. Tehran “must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons,” he said in a statement, but “that goal should be pursued around the negotiating table.”
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her government have been reluctant to condemn or applaud the attack on Iran or Tehran’s counterattacks, but instead has focused on operational measures like organizing a Gulf Task Force and speaking to Oman and Qatar.
Latvia
“The world will shed no tears for the demise of the murderous Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is a moment of relief for the brave Iranian people,” Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said. “The Iranian people deserve a future free from violence and oppression.”
Lithuania
Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budris welcomed the death of Khameini. “The hope for better future, for Iranian people — but also for Israelis and all of the Middle East — seems to have come closer,” he said.
Luxembourg
Prime Minister Luc Frieden said he supports the Iranian people, stressing they must now be allowed to “decide their future, free from violence and oppression.”
Malta
Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks and affirmed Valletta’s solidarity with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Netherlands
Prime Minister Rob Jetten said Iran’s attacks must stop and that the Dutch government is concerned about conflict in the region. He noted major concerns about Iran’s regime and its repression.
Poland
President Karol Nawrocki said Poland had advance knowledge of the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed the safety of Polish citizens in the Middle East.
Portugal
Prime Minister Luís Motenegro condemned the Iranian attacks on Gulf states and urged restraint. “We also reiterate, as we always have, the need for Iran to respect the human rights of its people, which have been violated in an unacceptable manner,” he said.
Romania
President Nicușor Dan focused on the safety of Romanian citizens, but Foreign Minister Toiu Oana said Khameini’s death “is a turning point,” stressing the Iranian regime’s brutal actions against its citizens and support for Russia’s military campaign.
Slovakia
President Robert Fico said retaliation had been expected after the attack on Iran and expressed solidarity with the countries affected, especially the United Arab Emirates.
Slovenia
The government in Ljubljana said it is “following with concern” the developments in the Middle East and called for de-escalation. “Further escalation could have serious consequences for regional and international security,” it said.
Spain
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchéz was the only EU leader to openly condemn the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. “We reject the unilateral military action by the United States and Israel,” he said. He also condemned Tehran’s counterattacks: “We cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East.”
Sweden
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the Iranian counterattacks and criticized the regime’s oppression of its own people. “Iran’s nuclear program and its support for terrorist groups have for a long time been a destabilizing factor,” he said.
This article has been updated. Joe Stanley-Smith contributed to this report.
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