The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, speaks during a debate on the preparations for the NATO summit on June 24 and 25 in The Hague, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on June 18, 2025. (Credit: Frederick Florin/AFP)
The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, on Sunday called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. "I urge all parties to take a step back, return to the negotiating table, and avoid any further escalation," Kallas wrote on X.
She added that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, describing this possibility as "a threat to international security"—while emphasizing that Brussels remains committed to diplomacy, at a critical time for the Middle East.
EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday. They are set to meet in Brussels for talks on a range of issues from Russia's war in Ukraine to Gaza, but Iran is now expected to dominate the agenda. Germany, France and Britain on Saturday urged Iran to continue down the diplomatic path "without waiting for the end of the conflict" to resolve the thorny issue of its nuclear program.
The previous day, Trump said that "Iran does not want to talk to Europe," which "will not be able to help." Claiming that Iran was on the verge of acquiring the atomic bomb, Israel launched on June 13 an unprecedented massive air attack against its arch-enemy, hitting hundreds of military and nuclear sites and killing the country's top brass and nuclear scientists.
Iran, which is retaliating with missile and drone strikes towards Israel, denies wanting to make an atomic weapon but defends its right to develop a civilian nuclear program.
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon, demolishes buildings in Bint Jbeil