European Council President Antonio Costa has called for de-escalation, restraint and protection of civilians following a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
In a post on X, Costa described the situation in the Middle East as “extremely dangerous” and emphasized the need for all parties to fully respect international law while safeguarding civilian lives and infrastructure.
He also referenced the Feb. 28 strike on a school in Minab, calling the loss of innocent lives “deeply regrettable.” Preliminary findings cited in ongoing reports suggest that a U.S. Tomahawk missile struck the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school during operations targeting a nearby Iranian military base, resulting in significant casualties.
Costa urged Iran to engage in diplomatic efforts, including cooperation with the United Nations to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route handling a substantial share of the world’s oil trade. He added that the European Union stands ready to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and achieving a lasting resolution.
The remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, which have now persisted for several weeks without a clear resolution.