Israel: European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized on Monday that escalation in Iran will not bring about a ceasefire or peace, urging for continued negotiations instead: European Council President Antonio Costa said on Monday that escalation in Iran will not bring a ceasefire or peace, and called for negotiations to continue.

According to Anadolu Agency, Costa communicated through the US social media platform X, stating that only diplomatic efforts, particularly those led by regional partners, can address the root causes of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He stressed that targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, is illegal and unacceptable, drawing parallels with Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Costa expressed concern that Iran's civilian population would suffer most from any expansion of the military campaign. He reiterated the European Union's stance in his recent conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging Iran to halt its regional attacks and to restore full navigation freedom through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions in the Middle East have risen since the US and Israel jointly launched an offensive on Iran on February 28, resulting in over 1,340 fatalities, including the then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes against Israel and other nations in the region, impacting infrastructure, causing casualties, and disrupting global markets and aviation.