The European Union expressed itself "alarmed" by the recent military escalation in the Middle East, strongly condemning Iranian attacks against Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement from the European External Action Service.
The European bloc also regretted attacks on Saudi merchant ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that these actions violate international law and calling for de-escalation and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
The European declaration also urged parties to the conflict to refrain from any action that threatens regional security and stability, calling for the protection of the civilian population and efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
This escalation of violence was triggered by US airstrikes against facilities of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships. Tehran responded with a wave of missiles and drones against American bases in Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq and Kuwait, in a deterioration of the security environment that Gulf countries fear could drag the region into a broader conflict.
