Foreign ministers from eight European and Middle Eastern countries have issued a warning to the United States and Israel, urging them to refrain from initiating new military strikes on Iran. The ministers emphasized that such actions could exacerbate regional tensions and lead to a spike in global oil prices. This cautionary statement emerged from a summit held in Istanbul, co-hosted by Türkiye, where officials advocated for diplomatic solutions to address the ongoing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
At the summit, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan pointed out that military interventions would not resolve the crisis, warning that further attacks on Iran could potentially escalate conflicts across the region. France and the United Kingdom echoed these concerns, underscoring the need for dialogue and the economic risks linked to renewed warfare.
Discussions at the meeting also focused on security issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for global energy supplies, and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The participating nations highlighted the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and implementing measures to prevent disruptions to international trade.
The summit brought together representatives from Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. In addition to the situation with Iran, the ministers addressed the Palestinian issue, settlement expansion, the two-state solution, and efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The collective stance of the participating countries stressed the necessity for increased diplomatic cooperation to reduce regional tensions, safeguard economic interests, and prevent conflicts from spreading further. The ministers reiterated their commitment to pursuing dialogue as a means to achieve stability and peace in the region.