Ola Akinwunmi
The European Union has sounded the alarm over rising tensions in the Middle East, warning that Iran’s threat to shut the vital Strait of Hormuz could have far-reaching global consequences.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, speaking Monday at a foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, said the possible closure of the waterway — a chokepoint for nearly 20% of global oil exports — would be “extremely dangerous and not good for anybody.”
“Concerns of retaliation and this war escalating are huge,” Kallas told reporters, referring to a recent U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear sites — an act that has sharply escalated hostilities in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Tensions have soared since Washington launched the attack on Sunday, marking a significant expansion of its involvement in the region’s conflict. In response, Iranian officials have hinted at the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but strategic shipping lane that links oil-rich Gulf states to global markets.
The United States has called on China to help deter Tehran from making good on its threat, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing the potential economic and security fallout of disrupting the waterway.
Meanwhile, the European Union has ramped up diplomatic efforts, urging all parties to de-escalate. Over the weekend, Kallas and top EU diplomats from France, Germany, and the UK met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva, signaling Europe’s commitment to a negotiated resolution.
“There has to be a diplomatic solution,” Kallas said. “When Iran is willing to talk to us, I think we have to use this opportunity.”
France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint statement Sunday, urging Iran “not to take any further action that could destabilise the region.”
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot echoed that sentiment on Monday, warning against the pursuit of regime change through military force.
“There is no lasting military solution to this problem,” Barrot said. “Only negotiations can enable us to place long-term limits on Iran’s nuclear programme. Europe has the experience, the knowledge, and the tools to help open a space for dialogue.”
Barrot also cautioned against what he called the “illusion” of regime change by force, saying, “It would be dangerous to think this can be achieved with bombs.”
As the world watches closely, the EU is positioning itself as a bridge between Tehran and the West — a role that could prove pivotal in preventing a wider conflict with potentially catastrophic economic consequences.
