Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was martyred in an Israeli drone strike that targeted a truck in the town of Naqoura
Defense Attorney: Lebanese activist George Ibrahim Abdallah will be released on July 25
Georges Abdallah's defense attorney: The decision to release Lebanese activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah will be issued in a few minutes
The French judiciary decided to release Lebanese activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah after 41 years of detention
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The death toll from the al-Sudaniyya massacre, northwest of Gaza City, has risen to 15
Around 50 people were killed and injured in a fire that swept through a shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut
Israeli occupation army: Two soldiers from the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade were seriously injured in a battle in the northern Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 8 killed as Israeli occupation forces targeted aid workers in the al-Sudaniyya area, northwest of Gaza City
Yemeni Armed Forces: We carried out three operations targeting Umm al-Rashrash Port, a military target in al-Naqab, and Lydd Airport with four drones
Yemeni Armed Forces: We carried out four military operations, including one targeting Lydd Airport with a Thulfiqar ballistic missile

European nations urge de-escalation, talks only after US struck Iran

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 Jun 2025 12:17
  • 2 Shares
7 Min Read

Despite Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear development and ongoing diplomacy, Western leaders justify US strikes while ignoring Israeli aggression and Tehran’s right to defense and sovereignty.

Listen
  • x
  • Europe urges de-escalation, diplomatic talks after US strikes on Iran
    A member of protocol adjusts the EU and Union flag prior to an official greeting between European Commissioner for Inter-institutional Relations and Foresight Maros Sefcovic and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss at EU headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 (AP)

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have called for renewed diplomacy following US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.

In a post on X, Kallas emphasized the need to avoid further escalation, waving the same card of "Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon" again, a statement critics say blatantly reverses the roles between aggressor and victim.

Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, as it would be a threat to international security.

I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation.

EU Foreign Ministers will discuss the situation tomorrow.

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) June 22, 2025

Now that the US struck Iran, she urged "all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation," noting that EU foreign ministers will meet Monday to discuss the crisis.

Similarly, Starmer stressed the importance of diplomacy, albeit his own version, stating, "We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis." His remarks, however, ignored the fact that Iran was already en route to Oman for a sixth round of talks, an initiative abruptly disrupted by the Israeli attack on June 13.

Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.

The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call…

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025

The talks, launched in April under Omani mediation, collapsed in the wake of a deadly wave of Israeli attacks on Iran. The assaults targeted multiple Iranian cities and resulted in the martyrdom of senior IRGC commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. One of the most devastating strikes hit a residential area in northern Tehran, killing 60 people, including 20 children.

In a statement from Downing Street, Starmer described Iran’s nuclear program as “a grave threat to international security” and justified the US response by stating, “Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.”

It is worth noting, however, that Iran is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has repeatedly affirmed that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes. Iranian officials have consistently denied pursuing a nuclear weapon, citing a binding religious edict (fatwa) by Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, who has explicitly forbidden the development and use of nuclear arms. Both the United States and "Israel" have recently issued threats against Sayyed Khamenei’s life.

No direct UK role in US strikes on Iran

Meanwhile, UK Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds claimed that Britain had no direct role in the strikes. Speaking to the media on Sunday, he confirmed, "We were not involved in attacks on Iran, but we were informed." He added that the UK has not received any requests from the US for support, including the use of the Diego Garcia military base.

"I know often because of British military assets, RAF Akrotiri (in Cyprus) or Diego Garcia, sometimes that request is made. And this was not a situation where that request was made," he alleged.

Reynolds also said Prime Minister Starmer is “talking to key allies this morning” and that the UK government is “looking at imminent flights to get people out of the Middle East,” as tensions in the region rise.

Germany urges Iran to resume talks with the US and 'Israel' following strikes

Related News

Trump says 'would love' to see Fed Chair Powell resign

Cuban PM details economic strains, key reform strategy

On his part, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a swift return to diplomacy following the United States’  airstrikes, urging Tehran to re-engage with Western powers to avoid further escalation.

Speaking through government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius on Sunday, Merz appealed for calm and negotiation. “Tehran must immediately enter into negotiations with the U.S. and Israel and find a diplomatic solution to the conflict,” Kornelius said, signaling Berlin’s support for a coordinated Western-led mediation framework.

The German government has aligned itself with Washington’s narrative regarding the strikes, with Kornelius claiming that the airstrikes caused significant damage. “Large parts of Iran's nuclear programme have been damaged by the airstrikes,” he stated, suggesting that the action had achieved a degree of military effectiveness.

Berlin’s response reflects an expected diplomatic approach that favors Western security priorities, particularly those related to non-proliferation and alignment with Israeli concerns. German officials are reportedly working in coordination with European Union partners to push for renewed dialogue, emphasizing Iran’s return to compliance with international agreements and urging restraint in its response.

While calling for de-escalation, German officials have thus far made no public criticism of the legality or proportionality of the US strikes, indicating a broader European effort to address the situation through pressure on Tehran rather than on Washington and "Israel", the aggressors.

It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday at dawn that the United States carried out what he described as a "very successful attack" on three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Simultaneously, the strike sparked international alarm and global condemnations.

Italian Defense Minister warns of likely Iranian retaliation on US targets

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto warned on Sunday that Iran is highly likely to launch a powerful retaliation targeting US assets, following Washington’s airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. His remarks reflect both deep concern over regional escalation and Italy’s traditionally more balanced approach to Middle East tensions.

In an interview with Italy’s TG1 news channel, Crosetto described the strikes as a watershed moment in the unfolding crisis, signaling a dangerous shift with potentially global repercussions.

“The strikes have completely changed the game,” Crosetto said. “A much bigger crisis opens up.”

He stressed that a “very strong response by Iran against all US targets is now highly likely,” underscoring Italy’s growing alarm at the potential for uncontrolled escalation. While NATO allies have largely echoed US strategic framing, Crosetto’s language notably avoided endorsing the airstrikes, instead focusing on the risks they pose.

France urges restraint and diplomacy

France expressed deep concern on Sunday over the United States' recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling on all parties to avoid further escalation and emphasizing the urgent need for diplomacy.

“France has taken note with concern of the strikes carried out last night by the United States of America against three sites of Iran's nuclear programme,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot wrote in a post on X.

La France a pris connaissance avec préoccupation des frappes menées cette nuit par les Etats-Unis d’Amérique contre trois sites du programme nucléaire iranien.

Elle n’a participé ni à ces frappes ni à leur planification.

Elle exhorte les parties à la retenue pour éviter toute…

— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) June 22, 2025

Barrot stressed that France had no role in the planning or execution of the US operation, making it clear that Paris was not party to the decision. He called for calm on all sides, stating that “France urges all parties to exercise restraint to avoid any escalation that could lead to an extension of the conflict.”

While President Emmanuel Macron has yet to publicly respond to the latest developments, he had indicated just one day prior that France and its European partners intended to intensify diplomatic engagement with Tehran in an effort to reduce tensions and prevent further destabilization.

Reiterating France’s consistent position on nuclear non-proliferation, Barrot emphasized: “France has repeatedly expressed its very firm opposition to Iran's access to nuclear weapons,” while underscoring the importance of diplomacy: “France is convinced that a lasting settlement of this issue requires a negotiated solution within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

Read more: US strike on Iran sparks international alarm, global condemnations

  • United States
  • Europe
  • war on Iran
  • Kaja Kallas
  • Israel
  • Keir Starmer
  • UK
  • Iran
War on Iran

War on Iran

Most Read

An Israeli soldier abandons an excavator during an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades. Arabic text reads "The moment the soldier fled", July, 10, 2025 (Al Qassam Military Media)

Israeli media rue al-Qassam footage, alarmed by fighters among troops

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025
This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage after an Iranian attack at the al Udeid Airbase outside of Doha, Qatar, June 25, 2025 (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

Satellite images show Iran attack damaged US comms dome in Qatari base

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025
Ukraine’s Corporate Carve-Up Collapses?

Ukraine’s Corporate Carve-Up Collapses?

  • Analysis
  • 11 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Druze from Syria protest in the Israeli-occupied Majdal Shams of the occupied Golan Heights, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Syria's Druze leaders divided over ceasefire; IOF vow more operations

Special Envoy of the Iranian Foreign Minister and his Assistant for West Asian Affairs, Raouf Sheibani. (IRNA)
Politics

Iran will not yield to snapback threats: Iran FM advisor - Exclusive

Mourners attend the funeral of the Palestinian teenager Amjad Nassar Awad Hawshiya, 15, who was killed in an Israeli raid, in the West Bank village of Yatta, south of al-Khalil, Tuesday, July 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' transfers Ibrahimi Mosque authority to settler council

President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Trump admin. to deny bond hearings for undocumented immigrants

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS