No Condemnation of Israel — With a Warning to Iran: European Ministers Speak with Tehran
UK, France, and Germany reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defense and urge Iran to return to diplomacy
Twitter
In a coordinated diplomatic call on Monday, the foreign ministers of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, along with the EU’s top foreign policy official, spoke with Iran’s foreign minister in light of the escalating conflict with Israel.
In a joint statement, the E3 nations expressed “deep concern” over the situation in the Middle East, urging all sides to show restraint and return to a diplomatic track.
“We strongly reaffirm Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens — in accordance with international law,” the statement read, with no condemnation of Israel’s actions.
At the center of the conversation was Iran’s nuclear program, which the ministers stated "goes far beyond any reasonable civilian justification." They called on Tehran to take “immediate and concrete steps” to return to diplomatic engagement.
The ministers also warned Iran against withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) — a move that would further escalate regional tensions and undermine international oversight.
“Such a step would only worsen instability and harm efforts to reach a viable resolution,” they warned.
The E3 concluded by reaffirming their commitment to pursuing a comprehensive diplomatic solution that ensures regional security and full international supervision of Iran’s nuclear activities.