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3. France, Germany, and U.K. to Work with U.S. as EU High Commissioner Issues Statement

Leaders of the U.K., France, and Germany issued a joint statement stating that they have “agreed to work together with the U.S. and allies in the region on this matter.”

The statement reads that “the Leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom are appalled by the indiscriminate and disproportionate missile attacks launched by Iran against countries in the region” citing those that were “not involved in initial US and Israeli military operations.”

“Iran’s reckless attacks have targeted our close allies and are threatening our service personnel and our civilians across the region,” the leaders said, outlining the reasons for their decision to work with the U.S. on curbing Iran as a regional threat.

“We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region,” they added, indicating that they are exploring military involvement “through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones at their source”

At the same time, the EU High Commissioner released a statement expressing concern for Iran’s attacks on countries across the Middle East, calling for maximum restraint in accordance with international humanitarian law and stating its solidarity with its affected allies in the region.

“We call for maximum restraint, protection of civilians and full respect of international law,” the statement says, “we express our solidarity with partners in the region that have been attacked or affected. We reiterate our commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life.”

The High Commissioner further reiterated that the EU seeks to “contribute to de-escalation and reaffirm the steadfast commitment of the European Union and its member states to safeguarding regional security and stability.”

The release expressed concern over the escalation within and beyond the Middle East and the effects it could have on the global economy, adding that “The events unfolding in Iran must not lead to an escalation that could threaten the Middle East, Europe and beyond, with unpredictable consequences, also in the economic sphere. The disruption of critical waterways, like the Strait of Hormuz, must be avoided.”

The statement ends with a call for “universal human rights and fundamental freedoms” for the Iranian people.