EU says Iran is actively “exporting the war” to countries

On Thursday morning in Brussels, European Union Commission High Representative, Kaja Kallas convened an extraordinary meeting with the Foreign Ministers and their counterparts from the Gulf nations.

In a statement released by spokesman revealed that the central, urgent topic was the escalating crisis in the Middle East, a region teetering on the brink of wider conflict.

Kallas did not mince words, directly attributing much of the instability to Iran’s actions. She stated unequivocally that Iran was actively “exporting the war, trying to expand it to as many countries as they can, to sow chaos.”

This aggressive posture, she explained, necessitated a unified front from the EU and GCC countries, whose primary objective was to restore stability and prevent further escalation.

A immediate and pressing concern was the safety of European citizens residing in the volatile region. Kallas assured the press that consular services were being diligently coordinated to facilitate their safe departure, underscoring the human cost of the ongoing turmoil.

In a striking observation, Kallas drew a parallel between the Middle East and Ukraine, noting that “the same drones that are attacking Kyiv every day now, [are] attacking also the Middle East.”
This shared threat, she suggested, presented an unexpected opportunity for cooperation. Ukraine, having developed advanced drone interceptors, protection systems in its own defense, could offer invaluable assistance to Gulf countries in countering these aerial assaults.

This exchange of expertise, she hoped, could foster a collaborative effort against a common enemy. Maritime security emerged as another critical dimension of the crisis.

Kallas expressed profound concern for the safety of the Strait of Hormuz and the vital trade routes that traverse it.
European naval assets, including missions like Operation Atalanta and ASPIDES, had been deployed to the region, coordinating efforts to keep these crucial arteries of global commerce open.

The economic implications of disrupted shipping lanes were significant for both Europe and the Gulf. The internal stability of Iran itself was also a subject of deep apprehension.

Kallas acknowledged the risk of fragmentation within the country, fueled by the arming of various groups and the potential for civil war.
Drawing on historical precedents, she cautioned against the naive expectation of swift democratic transitions following conflict.

While external pressures might weaken a regime, she emphasized that true change often emanated from within. The current weakening of the Iranian regime, she posited, could create an opening for the Iranian people to determine their own future.

The ripple effects of the Middle East crisis extended far beyond its immediate borders, significantly impacting Ukraine.
Kallas highlighted that defense capabilities, desperately needed in Ukraine, were now being diverted to the Middle East, straining already stretched supply chains for critical air defense systems.

Furthermore, the crisis was driving up oil prices, inadvertently benefiting Russia and funding its war efforts.

To counteract this, Kallas stressed the urgent need to enforce the maritime services ban, thereby curtailing Russia’s shadow fleet and its oil revenues.
Looking ahead, Kallas addressed the potential for a new wave of refugees arriving in Europe. While not yet a reality, she warned that if the conflict persisted, the migratory pressure on Europe would undoubtedly increase, necessitating proactive preparedness and international cooperation.

Despite the complexities, Kallas affirmed a shared objective between the EU and the Gulf countries: a fervent desire for stability in the region, a commitment to preventing further war, and unwavering respect for international law.

While finding common ground for a joint strategy was challenging, this shared vision provided a foundation for diplomatic efforts.
On the economic front, Kallas reassured that Europe was not directly dependent on oil from the Gulf states for its security of supply. However, she acknowledged that rising market prices due to the crisis would have broader economic impacts, though she saw no immediate cause for panic.

The global scarcity of arms, particularly air defense systems, drone interceptors, was a pressing issue. Kallas noted the universal demand for these capabilities in both Ukraine and the Middle East, highlighting a significant problem with production capacity.

She urged Europe to accelerate its own production efforts and suggested that Ukraine, with its advanced drone technology, could share its knowledge with Gulf countries to boost their capabilities.

However, she expressed concern that limited global production capacity would inevitably impact multiple conflicts. Ultimately, Kallas underscored the indispensable role of diplomacy.
“Wars really end in diplomacy,” she asserted, emphasizing the critical need to create and preserve space for diplomatic outreach to break the cycle of escalation.

Discussions were ongoing regarding concrete aid to Gulf countries, with Ukraine’s drone interceptors being a key offering.

Kallas encouraged direct engagement between Gulf nations and President Zelenskyy, noting the surprising extent of Ukraine’s assistance despite its own ongoing struggle, a dynamic she hoped would foster a more reciprocal relationship.

In essence, Kallas’s remarks painted a picture of a Middle East crisis with far-reaching implications, demanding a multifaceted response encompassing diplomatic engagement, security cooperation, and strategic resource management, all aimed at de-escalation and the pursuit of lasting stability.