The European Union has openly rejected Israel’s calls for regime change in Iran, insisting instead on diplomacy—even as Tehran continues to fuel chaos across the Middle East.
Responding to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remark that the fall of Iran’s government “could certainly be the result” of the current war, EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni declared on Wednesday: “Regime change is not part of the EU’s agreed position.”
As Israeli and Iranian forces traded airstrikes for a sixth straight day—with civilian casualties on both sides—El Anouni doubled down on Brussels’ passive stance: “Diplomacy must prevail, and lasting security is built through diplomacy and not through military action.”
Meanwhile, thousands of Iranians were reportedly fleeing Tehran after U.S. President Donald Trump called for the capital’s evacuation and demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” Trump also confirmed he had not reached out to Tehran for peace talks.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas repeated the bloc’s belief in diplomacy to handle Iran’s nuclear ambitions, despite acknowledging Tehran’s treaty violations and describing the regime as “repressive” and destabilising.
In a rare moment of clarity, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz broke with Brussels, praising Israel’s actions: “This is the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us.”
