EU Chief: Iran Trying to Drag More Nations Into Middle East War

The European Union's top diplomat accused Iran of deliberately attempting to widen the Middle East conflict by launching attacks against multiple countries in the region. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called Iran an "exporter of war" during remarks in Switzerland.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief delivered sharp criticism of Iran on Thursday, accusing the nation of deliberately working to expand the ongoing Middle East conflict through attacks on neighboring countries.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Zurich, Switzerland, EU diplomat Kaja Kallas described Iran’s actions as part of a broader strategy to involve more nations in regional warfare.

“Iran is an exporter of war,” Kallas stated during a joint press conference with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. “Right now, the regime tries to drag as many countries into this war as possible.”

When questioned about whether Iran might be attempting to pull NATO forces into the conflict and what steps the EU was taking to prevent such escalation, Kallas responded that Tehran was working to “sow chaos” throughout the region while launching attacks on other nations “indiscriminately.”

The EU official noted that both NATO and the European Union maintain procedures allowing member nations to request assistance when needed, though she emphasized that no such requests have been made to date.

Kallas suggested that Iran’s position has been significantly weakened and expressed optimism that Iranian citizens might soon have the opportunity to “determine their own future.” She confirmed the EU continues pursuing diplomatic solutions aimed at reducing tensions across the region.

During an earlier address at the University of Zurich, Kallas connected the Middle Eastern instability to broader breakdowns in international law, arguing that Russia’s military action in Ukraine had emboldened other nations to ignore global rules.

She also pointed to China as taking advantage of weakened international standards to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific while applying economic pressure to European nations.

“Without restoring international law, together with accountability, we are doomed to see repeated violations of the law, disruption and chaos,” Kallas warned.

Addressing recent shifts in U.S. foreign policy, the EU diplomat said Washington’s changing approach had “rocked the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, with aftershocks in other parts of the world,” describing its effect on global order as “seismic.”

“The current direction is a new world order characterised by competition and coercive power politics, a world order dominated by a handful of military powers who aim to establish and secure spheres of influence,” Kallas concluded.