Eurotopics.net

Europe is casting about for an appropriate response to the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Germany, France and the UK have criticised Tehran's counter-strikes on countries in the region, while the EU has called on all sides to show restraint. "The developments in Iran are extremely worrying," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Commentators are more vocal.

The war in the Middle East also has implications for Russia: on the one hand Tehran is a Kremlin ally and supplied Russia with drone technology in particular at the beginning of the war in Ukraine. On the other hand the looming shortages of oil and gas on the global market give Russia an opportunity to increase its earnings on energy exports, which have been restricted by sanctions. The media weigh up the pros and cons.

France will focus on increasing its nuclear arsenal and use it to enhance Europe's collective security, President Emmanuel Macron stated in his speech on the update to the country's nuclear doctrine. He also mentioned the possibility of relocating French nuclear weapons to other European countries. Shortly after the speech, France and Germany issued a joint statement establishing a "steering group" for closer cooperation on deterrence.

The US and Israel began attacking targets in Iran on Saturday morning, killing the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. US President Donald Trump justified the strikes by saying that Iran posed an immediate threat to the US and its allies in the region. Tehran had responded with missile and drone strikes against Israel and several Gulf states where US military bases are located. Europe's press fears the situation could escalate.