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EU's kallas says iran is seeking to escalate conflict
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 5, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026
Quick Summary
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on March 5, 2026 that Iran is broadening the Middle East conflict by attacking neighboring states indiscriminately, calling it an “exporter of war.” She emphasized EU mechanisms to avoid NATO involvement, noted Iran’s weakening, and reaffirmed the EU’s purs
Iran seeking to escalate conflict, EU's Kallas says
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas on Middle East Tensions
By Dave Graham
Iran's Role in Regional Conflict
ZURICH, March 5 (Reuters) - Iran is seeking to escalate the conflict in the Middle East by attacking other countries in the region indiscriminately, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday.
"Iran is an exporter of war," Kallas told reporters at a press conference with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis during a visit to Zurich. "Right now, the regime tries to drag as many countries into this war as possible."
Concerns Over NATO and EU Involvement
Asked whether she thought Iran was trying to suck NATO into the conflict and whether the EU had a strategy to avoid getting drawn in, Kallas said Tehran was trying to "sow chaos" in the region and attacking other countries "indiscriminately".
Both NATO and the EU had mechanisms enabling members to decide on whether they needed to call for help, she said. This had not been the case so far, she added.
Prospects for Iran's Future and Diplomatic Efforts
Kallas said Tehran had been considerably weakened, and that she saw a chance for the Iranian people to "determine their own future." The EU was continuing to work through diplomatic channels to pursue de-escalation in the region, she added.
Broader Geopolitical Implications
Impact of Erosion in International Law
In an earlier speech at the University of Zurich, Kallas said the Middle Eastern turmoil was a direct result of the erosion in international law, and that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had encouraged others to act with impunity.
China's Expanding Influence
China, she said, was taking advantage of the undermining of international rules to extend its influence in the Asia-Pacific region and put pressure on Europe's economies.
"Without restoring international law, together with accountability, we are doomed to see repeated violations of the law, disruption and chaos," Kallas said.
United States and the Changing World Order
Turning to the United States, she said Washington's foreign policy shift had "rocked the transatlantic relationship to its foundation, with aftershocks in other parts of the world," and calling its impact on the international order "seismic."
"The current direction is a new world order characterised by competition and coercive power politics, a world order dominated by a handful of military powers who aim to establish and secure spheres of influence," Kallas said.
(Reporting by Dave Graham; editing by James Mackenzie and Alistair Bell)
Key Takeaways
- •Kallas accused Iran of “exporting the war” by trying to drag multiple countries into the conflict and sow chaos region‑wide. (thenationalnews.com)
- •She clarified that neither NATO nor the EU has had to activate mutual defense clauses so far, despite Iran’s pattern of indiscriminate attacks on its neighbors. (euronews.com)
- •Kallas highlighted Iran’s military capacity as unsustainable post‑conflict, seeing potential for the Iranian people to shape their future, while the EU continues diplomatic efforts to ease tensions. (rferl.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about EU's Kallas says Iran is seeking to escalate conflict
1What did EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas say about Iran?
Kaja Kallas stated that Iran is seeking to escalate the conflict in the Middle East by attacking other countries indiscriminately and trying to drag more countries into the war.
2How is the EU responding to the situation involving Iran?
The EU is continuing to work through diplomatic channels to pursue de-escalation in the Middle East region.
3Did Kaja Kallas mention NATO involvement in the conflict?
Kallas acknowledged the question of NATO involvement but said no member state has called for help so far, as mechanisms exist for such decisions.
4How does Kallas describe Iran's current position?
Kallas said Iran has been considerably weakened, suggesting an opportunity for the Iranian people to determine their own future.
5Where did Kaja Kallas make these statements about Iran?
Kaja Kallas made these remarks during a press conference with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Zurich, Switzerland.
