European Union foreign chief Kaja Kallas has said that Gulf countries are worried about the risk of civil war in Iran amid escalating tensions with the United States and Israel.
“When we talk to the countries in the region, they are also worried about civil wars inside Iran because of the regime’s leadership and what is going on there,” Kallas said ahead of a video conference with EU foreign ministers and representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The EU is pushing for a diplomatic solution. “Wars really end in diplomacy and there has to be room for diplomacy here to really get out of this cycle of escalation,” she said.
Kallas added that the EU is “extremely worried” about maritime security in the region and is working to keep routes such as the Strait of Hormuz open. She noted that, since the EU is not heavily dependent on Gulf oil, recent attacks there have not caused a major short term impact on the EU’s oil supply.
The conflict has also intensified tensions between the United States and Spain, with Washington threatening trade consequences over Madrid’s refusal to allow US aircraft to use jointly operated bases in southern Spain for operations against Tehran. Spain has denounced US and Israeli bombings of Iran as reckless and illegal. The White House said Spain had agreed to cooperate, but Madrid has denied this.
Asked about the dispute, Kallas expressed hope that Washington would respect the trade agreement reached last year that applies to all EU member states.
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