European nations urge de-escalation, talks only after US struck Iran
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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.
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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.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) June 22, 2025
I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation.
EU Foreign Ministers will discuss the situation tomorrow.
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.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call…
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
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.
— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) June 22, 2025
Elle n’a participé ni à ces frappes ni à leur planification.
Elle exhorte les parties à la retenue pour éviter toute…
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
