European foreign ministers have urged Iran to engage in dialogue with the United States in order to prevent escalation of the conflict in the region
Following a tense meeting with the Iranian counterpart in Geneva on June 20, European diplomats collectively called on Tehran to pursue an open and constructive dialogue with the United States. Western officials expressed a unified stance on the need for Iran to make efforts to resolve the current tensions between Tehran and Israel, which threaten the stability of the region. The chief British diplomat, Foreign Secretary David Lemming, as quoted by the popular English news agency Sky News, emphasized during a press conference in Geneva that "Iran has no right to possess nuclear weapons." According to him, the European community insists that Tehran continue negotiations with the U.S. faithfully, as diplomatic resolution of the current situation is the most effective way to avoid further escalation of the conflict. "We are at a very dangerous crossroads. It is critically important that the tense situation does not escalate into open military confrontation. That is why all parties must demonstrate maximum responsibility and work towards finding a compromise," Lemming stressed. His French colleague, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barré, expressed hope in his speech that the current crisis will be resolved through diplomatic means. He emphasized that "a military solution to the Israel-Iran conflict is unlikely, and even impossible," and called on Tehran to be open to dialogue with the U.S. to find pathways to reconciliation. "Iran must open itself up to negotiations, particularly with the American side, and show a willingness to collaborate in resolving this crisis," Le Figaro, a French publication, quotes Barré. The minister also pointed out that supporting terrorist groups by the Iranian regime, as well as Russia's assistance with drones and the support for taken Western citizens, create additional tension and raise concerns in Europe. Amid the threat of a full-scale war, U.S. President Donald Trump has given "two weeks" to make a decision regarding potential U.S. involvement in new Israeli-Iranian military actions. This statement has raised alarm in European diplomatic circles, which hope that the situation can still be halted through diplomacy and that a compromise can eventually be reached. French President Emmanuel Macron, once again emphasizing the importance of dialogue, recently shared details of a four-point proposal he intends to present to Iran during upcoming negotiations in Geneva. His goal is to offer Tehran a set of conditions that would facilitate de-escalation of tensions and establish a platform for returning to stable dialogue. Overall, all parties recognize that without open dialogue and diplomatic efforts, the risks of the region plunging into a broader crisis are significantly increasing. European diplomats appeal to Tehran and Washington to take steps towards each other to avoid catastrophic consequences and maintain regional peace.