Paris/Berlin/London – March 1, 2026 – The leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on Saturday explicitly denying any participation in the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran while strongly condemning Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks on regional countries, including US-linked facilities and Israeli territory.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer released the coordinated statement following emergency consultations among their governments. The three leaders emphasized their non-involvement in the offensive operations and reaffirmed their focus on regional stability and civilian protection.
“We did not participate in these strikes, but are in close contact with our international partners, including the United States, Israel, and partners in the region,” the statement read. “We reiterate our commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life.”
The trio went on to condemn Iranian counterstrikes “in the strongest terms,” accusing Tehran of launching “indiscriminate military strikes” against neighboring states and US military assets in the Gulf. “Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes,” they declared, calling for an immediate halt to further escalation.
The statement urged a return to diplomacy: “We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.” The language reflects the three countries' longstanding preference for negotiated resolutions to the Iranian nuclear issue, consistent with their roles in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and subsequent European diplomatic initiatives.
The joint declaration came hours after Israel launched what it termed a “pre-emptive” operation codenamed “Lion’s Roar” (also referred to as “Roaring Lion”) early Saturday, targeting Iranian military infrastructure, missile production facilities, and reportedly senior leadership figures. US President Donald Trump later confirmed American involvement in “major combat operations” under “Operation Epic Fury,” describing the campaign as necessary to protect the United States by “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” Trump urged Iranian forces to surrender and called on civilians to overthrow the leadership, while acknowledging the risk of US casualties.
Iran responded with missile and drone barrages targeting Israeli territory and US military bases across the Gulf region, including a confirmed strike on a service center linked to the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain’s Juffair area and an intercepted missile over Qatar. Civilian casualties have been reported on the Iranian side, including five students killed when a girls’ primary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, was reportedly struck.
The strikes occurred despite ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman, with the latest round concluding in Geneva on Thursday. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi had described progress as “within our reach” after meeting US Vice President JD Vance on Friday. The military action has severely strained diplomatic prospects.
The Franco-German-British position aligns with broader European reactions. Earlier Saturday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa issued a joint EU statement calling the situation “greatly concerning” and urging “maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the developments as “perilous,” noting that consular teams are facilitating departures for EU citizens and that non-essential personnel are being withdrawn from the region.
Other European capitals echoed similar themes. Switzerland called for “full respect” of international law and “maximum restraint.” Spain, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Latvia, Austria, and Ireland all issued statements or posts urging de-escalation, civilian protection, and a return to dialogue. Finnish President Alexander Stubb criticized the US approach as operating “largely outside traditional international law,” while Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin stressed that “conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law.”
The three nations' joint statement also reflects their strategic interests in the region: France maintains a significant military presence in the Middle East and Indian Ocean; Germany has increased defense cooperation with Gulf partners; and the UK continues to operate defense assets in the Gulf and supports regional stability amid its post-Brexit foreign policy reorientation.
This escalation follows the June 2025 12-day Israel-Iran war, during which Israel initiated strikes and the United States later bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan). Those actions were reported to have set back—but not eliminated—Iran’s nuclear capabilities, according to International Atomic Energy Agency assessments.
Gulf states—including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia—closed or restricted airspace, placed forces on high alert, and expressed concern over energy disruptions. Oil prices surged sharply amid fears regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The Russian Embassy in Tehran urged citizens to leave Iran if possible.
As missile exchanges continue, airspace restrictions persist, and regional forces remain on high alert, the Franco-German-British call for restraint and renewed negotiations underscores Europe's preference for diplomatic solutions amid the risk of a prolonged and wider conflict with significant implications for global energy security and stability.
