World · Europe · 1 hr ago
European leaders warn against renewed Iran war as energy costs rise
The US-Israeli war on Iran has disrupted energy supplies, with the Strait of Hormuz a key route for global oil and liquefied natural gas.
The disruption has contributed to higher fuel and gas prices as European households face rising costs ahead of winter.
Protests over living costs have taken place in European capitals, though Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attributed them to energy-market instability.
European leaders have increasingly warned against renewed military attacks, after initially condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes without condemning the opening US-Israeli attacks.
At a meeting in Istanbul, foreign ministers from eight countries urged both sides to show restraint, warning that further escalation could drive hydrocarbon prices higher.
Europe’s response is not united, and its calls for diplomacy do not mean governments have dropped their objections to Iran’s nuclear programme or regional actions.
The next step depends on whether the conflict escalates; the sources say Washington is reportedly preparing options for renewed attacks.
European governments are warning against a renewed military campaign against Iran as energy costs rise across Europe.
Foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany and Italy met counterparts from four other countries in Istanbul to discuss the conflict and the Strait of Hormuz.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said further escalation would have serious consequences for hydrocarbon prices.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi linked energy-market disruption to protests and rising fuel prices in Europe.
European leaders’ warnings mark a shift from their initial response, which condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes but did not condemn the opening US-Israeli attacks.
- Who
- European leaders and foreign ministers, alongside Iranian officials commenting on the conflict.
- What
- European governments are warning against renewed attacks on Iran as energy disruptions and rising costs add pressure.
- When
- The warnings were reported on October 25 and 26, 2026; foreign ministers met on the preceding Friday.
- Where
- Europe and Istanbul, where foreign ministers met to discuss the conflict and the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Continued disruption to energy supplies is raising household costs and fuel prices as winter approaches.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Israel’s military campaign as “the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us.
Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, according to TASS.
The United States resumed large-scale strikes against Iran, according to TASS.
Foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany and Italy met counterparts from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt in Istanbul.
- Meeting place
- Istanbul
- Countries represented at the Friday meeting
- Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt
- European energy concern
- Rising oil prices and household costs as winter approaches
- Strait of Hormuz trade
- Nearly 25% of global oil trade and about 20% of liquefied natural gas trade pass through it
- Spanish prime minister
- Pedro Sanchez called the war “illegal, unjust and unjustified
3 sources
What people are saying
would create nothing but losers and would undoubtedly have very serious consequences for hydrocarbon prices
And so the first thing this group of eight countries … will do is call on both sides to exercise the utmost restraint, because we cannot afford another escalation in the region
illegal, unjust and unjustified
Any disruption and confrontation entail consequences that go far beyond our region and affect energy security, market stability and the economic interests of producers and consumers around the world