Key points
- The EU has condemned in the strongest terms the indiscriminate attacks taking place in the Gulf region and reaffirmed its solidarity with the impacted countries.
- Over 35,000 EU citizens have been safely repatriated by EU Member States, including over 13,000 via EU-supported repatriation flights.
- In 2026, the EU is providing humanitarian aid totalling €458 million to Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.
The European Union is committed to addressing the complex crises in the Middle East, including the recent developments in Iran. It is acting on multiple fronts, from evacuating citizens and delivering humanitarian support to engaging diplomatically, to de-escalate and prevent further conflict.
The conflict in Iran
The EU unequivocally condemned Iran’s indiscriminate attacks. Since 28 February 2026, the EU has been in constant contact with leaders across the Middle East and Europe, standing in solidarity with countries attacked by Iran and supporting the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council António Costa, as well as High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to regional stability, urging for
- immediate de-escalation and maximum restraint
- protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure
- full respect of the United Nations Charter
The EU position was reiterated in the conclusions of the European Council of 19 March 2026, where all 27 leaders condemned Iran's strikes, demanded an immediate ceasefire, and called for a moratorium on attacks on energy and water infrastructure.
Presidents von der Leyen and Costa, along with other leaders, welcomed the two-week ceasefire and urged the two sides to negotiate a swift and lasting end to the war.
Key diplomatic engagements
- 28 February 2026
President von der Leyen and President Costa reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to regional stability, nuclear safety and diplomatic efforts, and called on all parties to show restraint and respect international law.
- 5 March 2026
High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas convened a joint EU-Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting.
- 9 March 2026
President von der Leyen and President Costa exchanged views with the leaders of Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Türkiye, Armenia, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
They underlined the EU’s solidarity with the region, condemning attacks and supporting diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and safeguard energy security. - 18 March 2026
President von der Leyen met with UN Secretary General Guterres to discuss repercussions of the war in the Middle East, upholding international law and multilateral cooperation.
- 17 April 2026
President von der Leyen took part in the videoconference on restoring full and permanent navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Helping EU citizens
The safety of European citizens in the region is the EU’s top priority. The EU has swiftly acted to help those stranded by the conflict return home safely. Over 35,000 EU citizens have been safely repatriated from the region, in addition to tens of thousands departing via commercial means.
The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre has supported Member States in organising repatriation flights. Through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism:
Maritime security and energy measures
The EU has two naval operations to secure maritime routes in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea: EUNAVFOR Atalanta and EUNAVFOR Aspides.
At present, there is no immediate security-of-supply issue. Europe’s energy system is well prepared and resilient, thanks to measures to diversify supply, build up reserves, and improve connectivity.
However, Europe remains exposed to global price volatility. In response, the European Commission is proposing temporary and targeted measures to provide immediate relief while advancing structural reforms across the key components of electricity pricing. These measures include expanding state aid, improving grid efficiency, lowering electricity taxes relative to fossil fuels and modernising the Emissions Trading System.
Humanitarian assistance
As the humanitarian situation in Lebanon worsens, the EU has immediately mobilised additional emergency aid, including food, medical kits, shelter, recreational, and winter clothing kits. Support is delivered through humanitarian partners such as the World Food Programme and UNICEF.
The EU has already provided €110 million to Lebanon and is now mobilising further support under its €1 billion package for 2024–2027 to address the most urgent needs on the ground, through cash assistance to 100 000 vulnerable households, support to education in crisis and emergency healthcare actions.
EU’s response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Following Hamas’s violent and indiscriminate attacks across Israel on 7 October 2023, the EU condemned them and affirmed solidarity with Israel, emphasising its right to self-defence within international humanitarian law. The EU reiterated the need to protect civilians at all times and expressed concern about the humanitarian impact in Gaza due to Israeli military operations and restricted access.
The EU welcomed the October 2025 ceasefire and hostage release and called on all parties to fully implement it, including Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and unimpeded humanitarian access. The EU urged international stakeholders to strengthen efforts toward a two-state solution, with Israel and a Palestinian State living side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders. It deplored the continuing catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on Israel to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale.
EU's humanitarian support to Palestinian people
The EU has been the largest international donor to the Palestinian people for over two decades, providing over €1.25 billion in humanitarian aid. This includes more than €550 million since October 2023. Part of this aid has been delivered through the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge, which has transported over 5,400 tonnes of essential supplies via 81 flights since then.
Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU also delivers assistance through the Cyprus Maritime Corridor. An EU logistics hub in Cyprus has been set up to channel aid from EU Member States to Gaza. Since 2024, 451 patients and 1240 family members have been evacuated to the EU for medical treatment.
This page was last updated on 26 March 2026