France, Germany and UK urge Iran to negotiate after strikes
Feb 28th 2026
In a rare joint statement, France, Germany and the UK urged Iran to negotiate a solution after recent strikes, clarified they did not take part, and called for diplomatic steps to prevent wider regional escalation.
- France, Germany and the United Kingdom issued a rare joint statement calling on Iran to seek a negotiated solution and to allow its people to determine their future.
- The three leaders said they did not participate in the strikes and are in close contact with the United States, Israel and regional partners.
- The European Union is exploring diplomatic paths with Arab states and has called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to protect civilians and respect international law.
- European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is greatly concerned, pledged support for EU citizens in the region and said the Aspides naval mission is on high alert in the Red Sea to help keep the maritime corridor open.
- French president Emmanuel Macron requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting, and UK prime minister Keir Starmer chaired the government's Cobra emergency meeting.
- The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia condemned Iranian missile strikes as violations of sovereignty, and Qatar said it had downed missiles and reserves the right to respond.
- Russia demanded an immediate halt to US and Israeli strikes on Iran and said it is ready to assist efforts to return the situation to a political and diplomatic path.