Middle-East conflict: EU chief von der Leyen affirms support to member states in times of threat

The EU stands with its member states in the face of any threat, ‌European Union ⁠Commission ⁠President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday in response to the drone strike that hit Britain's Royal ⁠Air Force ‌base of Akrotiri in ⁠Cyprus overnight.

"While the Republic of Cyprus was not the target, let me be clear: we stand collectively, firmly ‌and unequivocally with our Member States in the ⁠face of any threat," von der Leyen said in a post on X.

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Earlier on March 1, she condemned the Iranian strikes in Manama, calling them "unjustified" and "unacceptable". The EU chief also spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and extended support to work closely to de-escalate and safeguard regional stability.

The EU had warned against a prolonged war in the Middle East, saying further escalation could threaten Europe and beyond, urging Iran to refrain from indiscriminate retaliation after US-Israeli strikes.

Foreign ministers from the EU bloc's 27 nations, most of which are NATO members, held extraordinary talks via video link on day two of a military strike that killed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as EU chief called for a "credible transition" in the country.

"The Middle East stands to lose greatly from any drawn-out war," the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said, speaking on behalf of member states after the talks.

"The events unfolding in Iran must not lead to an escalation that could threaten the Middle East, Europe and beyond, with unpredictable consequences, also in the economic sphere."

Writing on social media after calls with several Middle East leaders, von der Leyen said Khamenei's death spurred "renewed hope for the people of Iran" but also carried "a real risk of instability".

NATO's top commander in Europe was "closely" following developments in the Middle East and adjusting forces as needed to defend against "potential threats", citing in particular "ballistic missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles, emanating from this or other regions".