Bloomberg: The European Union is experiencing a split due to different positions on the conflict in Iran
The EU countries are experiencing a split amid the US operation against Iran, Bloomberg reports. Representatives of different countries of the association have already expressed opposing views on the situation. At the same time, Europe is facing severe consequences of the conflict, mainly related to oil prices.
Suzanne Lynch
European Union member states are increasingly divided over the US-Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic.
As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, disagreements continue to multiply between EU member states over the legality of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Spain, which had previously angered Donald Trump because of its obligations to spend money on defense within the framework of NATO, directly accused the United States and Israel of violating international law.
"We want military operations to always take place in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and within the framework of collective efforts," Jose Manuel Albares, the kingdom's foreign minister, told our newspaper.
"When we don't see this, Spain does not remain silent and makes it clear that this is the wrong way," he added, calling on European partners to condemn the ongoing airstrikes.
These statements were made by Albares at a time when German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is preparing to meet with Trump at the White House.
Merz broadly supported the US-Israeli attacks, saying on Sunday that "we do not lecture our partners about military strikes against Iran."
His point of view was supported by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said today in North Macedonia that there is "broad support" in Europe for the military campaign against Tehran.
Merz hopes that Trump will allow him to raise the issue of trade as Europe seeks clarity for its exporters on U.S. tariff policy after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the president's initial plans.
Meanwhile, Europe is facing the consequences of the Middle East conflict on multiple fronts.
For the second day in a row, oil prices have jumped, and natural gas prices have risen by as much as 34% amid uncertainty about how long exports from the world's largest LNG exporting facility in Qatar will be suspended.
According to our colleagues at Bloomberg Economics, the prospect of a protracted war that will keep oil and gas prices elevated could put pressure on public finances as countries spend more money to protect voters from rising costs.
The stock market showed a decline, and the sale of European bonds intensified amid signals from Washington that the conflict could last longer than expected.
The concern is compounded by an unexpected rise in inflation in the eurozone last month; analysts have increased their bets on a possible rate hike by the European Central Bank this year.
