24.03.2026 07:00
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the rise in natural gas and oil prices has negatively affected countries, stating that it is time to sit down at the negotiating table with Iran. Von der Leyen said, "We believe it is time to return to the negotiating table and end the conflicts."
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, drew attention to the ripple effects of rising natural gas and oil prices, stating that it is time to sit at the negotiation table with Iran to end the conflicts in the Middle East.
Von der Leyen answered journalists' questions about developments in the Middle East during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra.
"IT'S TIME TO END THE CONFLICTS"
Stating that "we believe it is time to return to the negotiation table and end the conflicts," von der Leyen emphasized that the situation in the Middle East has become critical in terms of global energy supply lines.
"OUR BUSINESSES AND SOCIETIES ARE IN A DIFFICULT POSITION"
Von der Leyen remarked, "We all feel the ripple effects of rising natural gas and oil prices. This situation affects our businesses and societies. However, the most important issue is to reach a negotiated solution and to end the conflicts we see in the Middle East."
In response to a question about what role EU countries could play in the Strait of Hormuz, von der Leyen stated, "EU leaders have clearly expressed that they could foresee an operation or mission when the conflicts end. However, it is not for me to assess their decisions regarding the provision of necessary capacity in the Strait of Hormuz."
US-ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON IRAN
Israel and the US launched a military attack on Iran on February 28 while negotiations were ongoing between Tehran and Washington.
Iran responded with attacks on targets it identified in several regional countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, where US bases are located, in addition to Israel.
In the US-Israel attacks, Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, along with many high-ranking officials, was killed. According to Iranian officials, the death toll from the US-Israel attacks exceeded 1,348, and the number of injured surpassed 17,000.