EU Warns of Severe Costs if Mideast War Resumes, Urges Return to Talks

(MENAFN) EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday cautioned that a return to full-scale warfare in the Middle East would carry severe consequences for the entire region, calling on all parties to resume diplomatic negotiations following the collapse of the ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

Speaking during a news briefing held alongside a meeting of EU defense ministers in Nicosia, Kallas said: “The region is stuck in phases of peace talks and fragile ceasefires. A return to full-scale war would come at tremendous cost to the entire region. All sides must come back to the negotiation table.”

She also highlighted growing challenges to freedom of navigation around the world, announcing that EU member states had approved sanctions targeting Iranian individuals and entities accused of disrupting maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Kallas, “This is the first time the EU has applied its new freedom of navigation sanctions regime, and where necessary, we will apply it again.”

The EU foreign policy chief further stressed the importance of Operation Aspides in safeguarding commercial shipping in the Red Sea. She added that the mission could eventually support a French-British maritime coalition operating in the strait once circumstances allow.

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