US and Israel are warned against launching fresh strikes on Iran
Foreign ministers from eight European and Middle Eastern countries have urged the US and Israel not to renew attacks on Iran, warning that fresh military action would spread conflict and push oil prices even higher.
The development of this new multinational 'anti-war bloc' represents a significant challenge to the increasingly open plans by the US and Israel to relaunch strikes on Iran while talks on Tehran's nuclear program remain deadlocked. The Istanbul meeting was an unprecedented gathering of regional and European leaders initiated by Turkey and Germany.
Regional concerns
The Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, joint convener of the summit, emphasized that military intervention in Iran is not a solution. 'We agreed that a new military attack would spread the war and the conflict in the region. All the countries around the table do not want the war to spread even more, once again.'
Military intervention in Iran is not any kind of solution. We agreed that a new military attack would spread the war and the conflict in the region. All the countries around the table do not want the war to spread even more, once again.
Economic impact
French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that another war between Iran and the US would be detrimental to both sides and would only worsen rising oil prices, which have reached their highest level since May. UK foreign secretary Ed Miliband also urged both sides to embrace diplomacy.
Ministers also demanded an end to Houthi assaults on Saudi Arabia and the immediate opening of the strait of Hormuz, currently blockaded by Iranian ships and drones. German minister Johann Wadephul accused 'the Houthis and Iran of blackmailing world trade and continuing to stranglehold global supplies of energy and fertiliser.'
Broader agenda
The summit agenda covered multiple Middle Eastern crises, including the Palestinian issue, security in the strait of Hormuz, Yemen, and efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Italy's Antonio Tajani emphasized that the problem cannot be solved from a purely military standpoint, stating: 'If we want to reopen Hormuz, which is vital for our economies, we must promote dialogue and make Iran understand that this attitude cannot continue.'
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