The European Union’s top diplomat has convened a special meeting of the 27 foreign ministers for Tuesday, focused on the conflict between Israel and Iran, “given the gravity of the situation,” a senior official from her office announced on Sunday.
The videoconference “will allow for an exchange of views, coordination on diplomatic actions with Tel Aviv and Tehran, and on possible next steps,” the official added.
The EU reiterated its call for de-escalation in the conflict, stressing its readiness “to pursue all diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions and finding a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.”
Such a solution, the EU official emphasized, “can only be achieved through a negotiated agreement.”
On the third day of the conflict, Iran launched new attacks on Israel on Sunday, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Tehran would “pay a very heavy price” for civilian deaths. At the same time, Israeli airstrikes were targeting dozens of sites across Iran, including in the capital.
Israel launched its unprecedented offensive against the Islamic Republic on Friday, its archenemy, with the stated aim of dismantling Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
On Saturday evening, Kaja Kallas expressed the EU’s “deep concern” in a statement issued on behalf of the 27 member states.
EU countries urged “all parties to respect international law, exercise restraint, and refrain from any further action that could lead to serious consequences, such as a potential radioactive release,” the statement said.
AFP
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