Several European governments have expressed serious concern following the United States’ recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The strikes, carried out on Saturday, have further destabilised an already volatile region, prompting urgent calls for restraint and a return to diplomatic engagement.
While the US justified the attack as a preemptive military measure, some European officials have criticised it as an ‘unlawful attack’ that lacked international legal justification.
IAEA confirms damage, urges return of inspectors
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed the airstrikes had damaged Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
In a statement on Sunday, Grossi emphasised the need for diplomacy and called for the immediate return of IAEA inspectors to Iran.
“We must allow our inspectors to return,” Grossi stated. “The IAEA stands ready to resume its verification work. We must work for peace.”
Nordic leaders push for restraint
In Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson took to social media to urge de-escalation. “De-escalation, restraint, and a return to talks and diplomacy are now of utmost importance,” he wrote on X.
Regeringen följer noga händelseutvecklingen efter nattens attacker mot Irans kärnvapenprogram. För Sverige förblir det viktigt att Iran inte utvecklar kärnvapen. Det är också viktigt att våldsspiralen i Mellanöstern stoppas. De-eskalering, återhållsamhet och en återgång till…
— Ulf Kristersson (@SwedishPM) June 22, 2025
Finnish President Alexander Stubb described the US strikes as ‘of exceptional scale’ and stressed that diplomacy, dialogue, and respect for international law are essential to halting the region’s retaliation cycle.
Slovenia calls for UN action
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob echoed these concerns, emphasising that continued violence only deepens the suffering of civilians.
He urged all parties to return to negotiations and supported UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s call for peace.
The Slovenian Foreign Ministry warned that further hostilities could threaten international peace and security. “Diplomacy and dialogue must prevail, and war must be avoided,” the ministry stated.
Additionally, the Left, a coalition partner in Slovenia’s ruling government, condemned the U.S. strike as ‘a dangerous and irresponsible act’.
The party criticised the absence of a UN mandate and called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the issue.
Baltic and Central European voices align
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stressed the importance of returning to diplomatic negotiations to resolve the crisis. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár went further, condemning the US action outright.
“It’s unacceptable for any country to conduct military operations on the territory of another sovereign country,” Blanár posted. He insisted that such conflicts must be resolved through the United Nations, not by military force.
Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also weighed in, warning that the situation must not escalate into a broader regional war. “Protecting civilians should remain a top priority, and global cooperation is essential to ensuring long-term stability,” he told local media.
Despite varying tones, European leaders have shown a unified stance in promoting peace and urging all sides, especially the United States and Iran, to avoid further escalation.
The overarching message from the continent remains clear: diplomacy, not war, must guide the path forward.
Also Read: Khamenei Warns Of Continued Retaliation Against Israel Following US Strikes
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