The European Union has no intention of becoming directly involved in military action against Iran, the bloc’s top diplomat said Monday, warning that Europe has no appetite for an open-ended conflict as tensions rise in the Middle East.
Speaking after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, Kaja Kallas underscored that while the bloc is working to strengthen maritime security, there is little support among member states for expanding military mandates in the region.
"We have the operation Aspides in the Red Sea," Kallas said, referring to the EU's naval mission. "The discussion on whether we are extending this mandate to cover the Strait of Hormuz, to go north from the Muscat line, there was no appetite from the member states to do that."
"Nobody wants to go actively in this war. And of course, everybody is concerned what will be the outcome," she added, noting that the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation and intensifying diplomatic outreach to stabilize the situation.
"This is not Europe's war, but Europe's interests are directly at stake," she said, emphasizing that the bloc's priority is the protection of its citizens as the conflict expands.
