European leaders applaud US-Iran truce, urge lasting diplomatic solution
European Union and national leaders welcomed the two‑week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, calling it a necessary step back from escalation. They praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts and stressed that the pause must lead to a durable political settlement. Norway specifically thanked Türkiye, Egypt and Pakistan for their dialogue‑facilitating roles.
Top European officials reacted positively Wednesday to the temporary ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump, which suspends hostilities with Iran for 14 days. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the agreement as “a step back from the brink after weeks of escalation,” adding that it creates a long‑needed opportunity to reduce threats, halt missile attacks and reopen vital shipping lanes. She also thanked Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for his mediation efforts and noted that the EU remains ready to support further diplomatic work.
Leaders call for enduring peace
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the sentiment, welcoming the de‑escalation and thanking Pakistan. French President Emmanuel Macron called the truce “a very good thing,” insisting that only negotiation can provide the security guarantees needed for regional stability. He warned, however, that Lebanon must also be included in any ceasefire framework. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the pause brings “a moment of relief” and announced he will travel to the Gulf to reinforce support for the agreement. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that the goal now is to negotiate a permanent end to the war.
Cautious optimism and Türkiye’s role
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed the ceasefire but refused to applaud “those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket,” calling for diplomacy, international legality and genuine peace. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the truce gives diplomacy a chance “at a moment when the world stood on the brink,” and specifically thanked Pakistan, Türkiye and Egypt for their dialogue efforts. Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed support for turning the ceasefire into a more permanent arrangement in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East.
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Background and mediation
The ceasefire follows weeks of intense conflict that began on Feb. 28 with joint US‑Israeli strikes on Iran, which have killed more than 1,400 people, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks on Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf states hosting US assets, and restricted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who played a key brokering role, invited Iranian and US delegations to Islamabad for further talks on Friday, announcing that all parties have agreed to an immediate halt to hostilities across all conflict zones, including Lebanon.
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