Speaking before the European Parliament on Wednesday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed “full solidarity” with Cyprus, saying: “I want to be very clear, all of us here stand in full solidarity with Cyprus. Your security is our security.”
Assessing the ongoing situation in the Middle East during a plenary debate, Von der Leyen said Europe's first responsibility was to protect its citizens and prepare for the impacts of the conflict, referring specifically to energy prices.
In her speech, the Commission President avoided any critique of the reasons behind the US-Israeli war launched against Iran on February 28, 2026. This in stark contrast to Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez who last week described the war as a “huge mistake” and recalled Spain’s ambassador from Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Also last week, the Netherlands’ new PM Rob Jetten described both US-Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran’s “unacceptable retaliation” on countries in the region as falling “outside the framework of international law”.
Focus on repressive Iranian regime
Von der Leyen focused in her speech on the Iranian regime and the recently assassinated Ayatollah Khamenei’s decades of rule through “repression, violence and fear”.
“Under his rule, Iranians lived under a system that silenced dissent and crushed basic freedoms,” she said, adding that more than 17,000 Iranian protestors were recently killed as the regime clung to power.
“But the crimes of this regime go back decades. It imprisoned and tortured its own citizens. It sponsored terrorism across the region and even on European soil. And it provided crucial support to Russia's brutal war against Ukraine. There should be no tears shed for such a regime,” she said to applause from the plenary.
‘Iranians hoping for free Iran’
Noting that many Iranians have celebrated Khamenei's downfall, Von der Leyen said they are hoping that this moment can open a path towards a free Iran. “That is what the Iranian people deserve – freedom, dignity, and the right to decide their own future.”
At the same time, the Commission President maintained this does not diminish the EU’s determination “to fight for the world as we want it”.
Commitment to UN Charter
“The European Union was founded as a peace project. Our unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peace, to the principles of the UN Charter and to international law are as central today as they were at our creation. And we will always uphold these principles,” she said.
Conflict ‘deeply concerning’
Opening the plenary debate, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna described the conflict in the wider Middle East as “rapidly evolving” and “deeply concerning”. She noted that UN Secretary-General António Guterres will join EU leaders for a discussion on the geopolitical situation and multilateralism at the upcoming European Council meeting on March 19-20.
“We have called for maximum restraint, the protection of civilians and full respect of international law, the United Nations Charter, and international humanitarian law.
“Let us be absolutely clear: the situation in Iran and the broader Middle East is extremely serious,” she said.
Cyprus a direct link to region
Raouna told European MEPs and colleagues that Cyprus’ geography provides a direct link to the region, which in turn links Europe to the region.
“From our corner of the Union, at the southeastern frontier, it is absolutely clear what is at stake.”
The Cypriot official noted that while Cyprus was not directly a target, the recent drone incident involving the British Bases “illustrates how unpredictable this conflict is and how quickly and indiscriminately it can spread”.
Raouna thanked the EU institutions and member states for the solidarity and tangible support shown to Cyprus after the strike.
“Cyprus and its people will never forget. This is European unity and solidarity in action. A message that the security of a member state is the security of the whole European Union. That when one member state is attacked, the whole European Union is attacked. And an example of European autonomy,” she said.
The deputy minister argued that the EU response to the attack made one thing clear: “Cyprus is not Europe’s periphery. It is Europe’s frontline. And its lighthouse in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Raouna also unequivocally condemned “the unjustifiable and indiscriminate Iranian attacks against our partners” in the region, calling for an immediate end to military strikes against them.
Global implications
Regarding the global implications of the crisis, the Cypriot official said the conflict risks disrupting international trade and supply routes, notably for energy, with potential consequences for EU economic and security interests.
“Safeguarding regional airspace, freedom of navigation and maritime routes, including through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, remains essential, while ensuring energy security,” she said.
Concern for Lebanon
Raouna expressed deep concern about the impact on Lebanon, which is already experiencing “dramatic humanitarian consequences, including large scale displacements”.
She added: “Violence against civilians and attacks on civilian infrastructure are unacceptable. We underscore the need for the protection of civilians and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.”
Cyprus welcomes the Lebanese government’s March 2 decision to prohibit any military or security activity by Hezbollah and its intention to implement this decisively, said Raouna.
Humanitarian role
The deputy minister highlighted that Cyprus will continue to play a role as a humanitarian hub, noting that more than 1.3 million EU citizens reside or are registered in the affected region.
“Cyprus has activated all contingency plans and stands ready to support humanitarian operations, as it has done in each and every crisis in the region, to assist European and third-country nationals and to host coordination personnel if required.”
Diplomatic route
On ending the conflict, Raouna said: “Only a sustainable diplomatic solution will allow us to address decisively our multiple longstanding concerns related to Iran.
“This includes preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, curbing its ballistic missiles and drones programme, and ending its destabilising activities in the region. These objectives remain essential.”
She also raised the need to implement the ceasefire and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on Gaza, noting the broader interconnections between regional crises, including Iran’s supply of Shahed drones to Russia, used to strike Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.