As the US and Israel enter their second week of conflict with Iran, the EU prepares for possible energy disruptions and economic consequences. With the crisis ongoing, the question arises whether the EU can maintain a restrained stance to minimize damage, and if it will confront a pivotal test as the defender of the rules-based international system.

The European Union is preparing for potentially significant aftermaths as tensions with Iran continue, with calls for Brussels to step in and mitigate the economic repercussions on households and guarantee steady energy provision.

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Beyond these urgent matters, the hostilities provoke fundamental reflections regarding the EU’s foreign policy direction and its role amid a perilous and turbulent global landscape.

Within this framework, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Antonio López-Istúriz from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and Daniel Attard of the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) took part in The Ring to present their perspectives on the EU’s stance toward the conflict.

Both representatives united in their denouncement of Tehran’s regime and agree that the EU should persist in backing the Iranian population advocating for reform.

MEP Attard interprets reports of Iranian mine-laying vessels in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as signs of a deeply weakened regime confronting a decisive moment.

MEP López-Istúriz asserts that the EU must unequivocally support its democratic partners—such as the US and Israel—while rejecting the «narrative» promoted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who categorically condemned the US-Israel military actions targeting Iran as breaches of international law and the EU’s core values.

This segment of The Ring is hosted by Mared Gwyn Jones, with production by Luis Albertos and Amaia Echevarria, and editing by Vassilis Glynos.

Viewers can watch The Ring on Euronews TV or via the player above and share their opinions by contacting [email protected].