EU Calls For Diplomacy As Iran Threatens To Close Key Oil Route

The European Union’s chief diplomat on Monday warned that it would be “extremely dangerous” if Iran were to shut down the strategic Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for recent US strikes on its nuclear sites.

“Concerns of retaliation and this war escalating are huge,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, where the Iran-Israel conflict was a key topic.

She added, “Especially the closing of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is something that would be extremely dangerous and not good for anybody.”

Analysts have suggested Iran might respond to Washington’s early Sunday attack by blocking the vital waterway, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on China to help prevent Iran from shutting down the trading route.

Since the US struck Iran’s nuclear facilities, joining Israel in its conflict with Tehran, the EU has been pushing for de-escalation.

“Ministers are very much focused on the diplomatic solution,” Kallas said, noting she urged all parties over the weekend to “step back” and resume negotiations.

Having met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi alongside top diplomats from France, Germany, and Britain in Geneva on Friday, Kallas stressed that European diplomatic efforts would continue.

“There has to be a diplomatic solution,” she said. “When Iran is willing to talk to us. I think we have to use this opportunity.”

On Sunday, France, Germany, and Britain jointly called on Tehran not to take any further action that could destabilize the region.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking in Brussels, emphasized Europe’s extensive experience in negotiating with Iran to prevent nuclear proliferation.

“There is no lasting military solution to this problem,” Barrot said.

“Only negotiations can enable us to place long-term limits on Iran’s nuclear programme.”

He added, “Europe can bring its experience, its competence, its fine knowledge of these questions to open a space for negotiations.”

Barrot also rejected any attempt to force regime change, warning it would be “illusory and dangerous” to believe such a shift could be achieved through “bombs”.

— AFP