EU Parliament Vice President Marc Botenga criticized Western bombs; Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei responded sharply on March 12, calling EU inaction “complicity.”
Iranian MFA Spokesperson on EU Stance in Middle East Conflict
EU Parliament Vice President Marc Botenga stated, “Your bombs have never brought democracy and never will.” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei commented on these remarks on March 12 via X, writing: “Speaking truth, you choose the right side of history. The European Union’s indifference and complicity in aggression, brutality, and cruelty by the USA and Israel is nothing but complicity. The world is watching.”
Statements by Ursula von der Leyen and Mark Rutte
European leaders have varied stances on the Middle East conflict. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, “We should not shed tears” over the fall of the Iranian regime. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested that NATO member states largely support actions by the Donald Trump administration, which jointly with Israel attacked Iran.
Spain’s Position and the European Council President
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated in a radio interview that Madrid “does not share” Rutte’s view on NATO support for US actions. The Spanish government also refused to allow the use of military bases on its territory for American strikes. European Council President Antonio Costa also warned of negative consequences from the US-Israeli attacks, stating they could increase instability in the Middle East.
