European Union foreign ministers will meet on 17 June for an emergency meeting on the conflict between Israel and Iran to discuss “possible next steps” to achieve de-escalation, an EU spokesman said.
“Given the gravity of the situation in the Middle East, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas is convening a meeting of EU foreign ministers via video link for Tuesday,” the statement said.
The EU diplomatic service said the European Union was “following the situation in the Middle East very closely and expresses its deepest concern at the dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilise” the region.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I reaffirmed our commitment to peace, stability and diplomatic efforts leading to de-escalation. In this context, I emphasised that Israel has the right to defend itself. Iran is a major source of regional instability. Europe has always been clear: Iran can never obtain nuclear weapons. There is an urgent need for a negotiated settlement,” von der Leyen wrote on social media X.
Israel began airstrikes on Iranian territory on 13 June, attacking nuclear, military and energy facilities. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes against Israel.
According to the latest figures, Israeli attacks in Iran have killed about 140 people, including military officials. The Iranian authorities do not give exact figures. In Israel as a result of Iranian strikes, according to the Ministry of Health, 15 people were killed. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported the deaths of five Ukrainian citizens, including three children, in the Israeli city of Bat Yam, according to preliminary data.
US President Donald Trump, who had hoped for the resumption of US-Iranian talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme, called on Israel and Iran to conclude a peace deal. Talks between Iran and the US, which were scheduled for Sunday in Oman, were cancelled after the Israeli strikes.