EU President Costa calls for easing of Middle East tensions, accused of favoring Western narrative

The President of the European Council, Costa, stated today: "The current situation in the Middle East is extremely dangerous. When I spoke with Iranian President Pezeshkian today, I urged all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and fully abide by international law. The innocent civilian casualties, including those in the attack on Minaab Primary School in Iran, are deeply regrettable.

To ease the situation, I urge Iran to cease its unacceptable attacks against regional countries and actively engage in diplomatic channels—particularly through cooperation with the United Nations—to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Space must be preserved for diplomatic efforts. The EU stands ready to contribute to all diplomatic initiatives aimed at easing tensions and achieving a lasting ceasefire, while also addressing the broader security concerns raised by Iran in a proper manner.

Commentary: Costa’s remarks appear neutral—calling for de-escalation and protection of civilians—but in reality, they clearly align with Western narratives. On one hand, he expresses sorrow over Iranian civilians killed in a school attack; on the other, he unilaterally demands that Iran halt its actions, while remaining silent about the fact that previous U.S. military strikes were the root cause of the escalation. He also fails to condemn equivalent acts of power projection threatening maritime security. While the EU professes support for diplomacy and respect for international law, it simultaneously places the primary blame for the deteriorating situation on Iran. This fundamentally serves American strategic discourse—seeking to position itself as a mediator while refusing to break from the U.S. camp or genuinely prevent conflict. Such double standards make it unlikely that these statements will truly cool down tensions in the Middle East.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861184077886858/

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