Spain Joins Calls for De-Escalation in Iran-Israel Conflict

Spain's foreign affairs minister, Jose Manuel Albares, calls for de-escalation of military attacks between Iran and Israel, stating that war will not help anyone. He echoes the Group of Seven's statement urging restraint, citing the need for peaceful coexistence and resuming negotiations on the nuclear file. EU foreign affairs ministers will discuss the conflict via videoconference.

Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has called for a weapons embargo on Israel while the war in Gaza continues, urging the European Union (EU) to act as it did following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Albares, speaking on Bloomberg TV, emphasized the EU's role as Israel's largest trade partner and the need to impose an arms embargo until the war ends [1].

In a separate statement, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, underscored the urgency of de-escalation in the Middle East. Following an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council meeting, ministers agreed to coordinate diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader conflict. The EU has activated its civil protection mechanism to assist Member States in evacuating their citizens and is ready to deploy civil protection experts and naval operations to protect merchant ships [2].

The EU's stance on Iran's nuclear program remains clear: diplomacy is the solution to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The EU is in contact with Iran and Israel to de-escalate tensions and resume negotiations. Kallas highlighted the EU's commitment to addressing both the nuclear issue and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The EU will continue to play an active role in the Middle East peace process [2].

The EU's approach to the conflict is guided by the need for a diplomatic solution. While the EU supports Israel's right to self-defense, it also emphasizes the importance of peaceful coexistence. The EU is committed to working with regional partners to address the spillover effects of the conflict. The EU's ongoing review of the Association Agreement with Israel will be discussed further at an upcoming Foreign Affairs Council meeting [2].

In response to recent statements by Donald Trump, the EU has reiterated its position on Iran's nuclear program and the need for a diplomatic solution. The EU has emphasized that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and that the nuclear program should be under international control. The EU has also cautioned against U.S. involvement in the conflict, as it could escalate tensions and drag the region into a broader conflict [2].

The EU's stance on the conflict in the Middle East is guided by a commitment to peaceful coexistence and a diplomatic solution. The EU's role in the conflict is to coordinate efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent a broader conflict. The EU's ongoing review of its relationship with Israel reflects its commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and finding a political solution to the Middle East peace process.

References:
[1] https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2025/06/17/spanish-foreign-minister-calls-for-weapons-embargo-on-israel
[2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/foreign-affairs-council-press-remarks-high-representative-kaja-kallas-after-informal-videoconference_en