The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group strongly condemns the recent escalation of hostilities in the Middle East and calls on the Iranian leadership to immediately halt further confrontation and return to the negotiating table.

The current crisis reflects years of destabilising conduct by the regime in Tehran. For decades, Iran’s leadership has combined repression at home with interference abroad, supporting armed proxies, advancing missile capabilities and contributing to sustained regional instability.

Nicola Procaccini, Co-Chair of the ECR Group, said:

“The Iranian regime has consistently fuelled instability across the Middle East while denying its own people fundamental freedoms. Its continued escalation risks deepening the crisis and increasing civilian suffering.

“We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table, to cease further escalation and to abandon policies that perpetuate confrontation and insecurity in the region. The Mullah regime must end violence against its own people and allow them to decide their future freely.”

Patryk Jaki, Co-Chair of the ECR Group, added:

“The leadership in Tehran bears responsibility for a pattern of destabilising behaviour that has brought the region to this point. Regional security cannot coexist with permanent confrontation.”

“Iran must comply fully with its international commitments, halt further military escalation and respect the fundamental rights of its own citizens.”

The ECR Group underlines that particular attention must also be given to the safety of European citizens present in the region, including diplomatic staff and civilians, whose security must be safeguarded in the current volatile environment.