France, UK and Germany condemn Iran’s “indiscriminate and disproportionate” missile attacks — joint statement

France, UK and Germany condemn Iran’s “indiscriminate and disproportionate” missile attacks — joint statement

France, UK, and Germany Condemn Iran’s “Indiscriminate and Disproportionate” Missile Attacks

France, the United Kingdom, and Germany issued a joint statement on February 28, 2026, condemning Iran’s recent missile and drone strikes on Gulf nations as “indiscriminate and disproportionate,” emphasizing their commitment to defending regional allies and stabilizing the volatile Middle East. The statement, released by leaders Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Friedrich Merz, criticized Iran's attacks on countries uninvolved in prior U.S.-Israeli military operations, including strikes on a multinational military base in Iraq and a German camp in Jordan.

The European nations reiterated their stance against Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, calling for a negotiated resolution to de-escalate tensions. While the UK, France, and Germany did not participate in the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, they affirmed cooperation with regional allies to “safeguard regional security and stability.” The statement also underscored the need to protect civilian lives and adhere to international law, with Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa of the EU urging “maximum restraint” from all parties.

Defensive measures have already been bolstered in the region. The UK’s defense secretary, John Healey, highlighted that British personnel in Bahrain had been “within several hundred yards” of Iranian strikes, prompting a review of terror threat levels domestically. Meanwhile, the EU’s Aspides naval mission remains on high alert in the Red Sea to secure maritime corridors critical for global trade.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted the country’s right to “defend itself whatever it takes,” while European leaders warned against further escalation. The U.S.-Israeli operation, which targeted Iranian infrastructure, has intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict, with Macron advocating for an urgent UN Security Council meeting.

The European response balances deterrence with diplomacy, reflecting concerns over economic and geopolitical stability. With Gulf markets volatile and global energy supplies at risk, the trio’s emphasis on proportionality and dialogue may influence investor sentiment, particularly in sectors tied to regional security and energy trade.