Any new escalation between the US and Iran “would only have losers", the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said on Monday at a meeting of Europe’s top five defence powers in Paris.
While the meeting was mainly organised to reaffirm support for Ukraine, defence ministers from France, the UK, Germany, Italy and Poland made no new pledges.
The Middle East was also on the agenda but little time appeared to have been devoted to the region, as Europe’s attention remains absorbed by Ukraine, which faces the prospect of a tough winter amid heavy Russian attacks.
“Russia represents the most acute and long-term threat to Euro-Atlantic security and stability,” the ministers said in a joint statement.
Europeans have largely remained bystanders since the start of US-Iran hostilities in February, despite the ensuing energy crisis fuelling social unrest on the continent.
After two roundtables devoted to Nato and Ukraine, held in the presence of Ukraine’s Defence Minister Evgeniy Khmara, ministers concluded with talks on the “situation in the Middle East".
Also present were Ms Kallas, the EU’s Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, and Nato deputy secretary general Radmila Shekerinska.
Those attending then each gave a five-minute statement, but only Ms Kallas mentioned the risk of the US-Iran war reigniting, with fears that US President Donald Trump could launch renewed strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections on November 3.
In the past weeks, Saudi Arabia has come under intensified Houthi attacks, including deadly strikes on airports, energy and military targets.
“There is a serious risk of renewed escalation between the United States and Iran, and any new escalation would only have losers,” Ms Kallas said. “Houthis have indiscriminately struck Yemen and Saudi Arabia.”
Not intimidated
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius focused on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
“Putin though won’t be able to break the Ukrainians' determination,” Mr Pistorius said. “Currently we’re working with Ukraine to come up with an air defence system to support existing systems, namely Patriots [missiles].”
UK Foreign Secretary Wes Streeting also centered his attention on Mr Putin, saying that “none of us seek war with Russia".
"The threat that he describes to Russia from Nato is a threat that, as far as we're concerned, as Nato members, simply doesn't exist,” Mr Streeting said.
On Ukraine, French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said: “We have a total commitment, and for us it is extremely important not to be intimidated and never to be divided.”
Asked about Washington-Kyiv tensions over Ukraine’s use of Starlink internet services, Ms Vautrin said ministers had “talked about the necessity to help Ukraine equip itself in terms of satellites to reduce its dependency".
On the Middle East, she said Europeans remained “engaged to re-establish freedom of navigation, an absolutely decisive point for our supplies".
A joint French-UK initiative for a defence maritime mission in the Strait of Hormuz is awaiting a politically negotiated solution between the US and Iran. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy is ready to take part in mine-hunting operations.
Rome also contributes to the EU naval mission in the Red Sea but has recently complained to Brussels that other EU states were not providing enough help. Core participants are France, Italy and Greece.
Ms Kallas thanked them in her statement, adding that Operation Aspides “helps to keep cargo and oil flowing through the Red Sea".
There was no mention, however, of Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalil bin Salman's surprise visit to Tehran on the same day, marking the first time senior officials from countries that signed the Makkah Agreement have engaged in direct talks with Iran.
Instead, Ms Shekerinska said that: “Together we will continue to explore the best ways in which we can keep these waterways open [in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea].”
