Espen Barth Eide, Norway's Foreign Minister, has voiced significant apprehension regarding the escalation of conflict in the Middle East after recent military actions taken by Israel and the United States against Iran. In a communication with NTB, he expressed regret that diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Iran failed to produce a peaceful resolution. His comments highlight a worsening situation that threatens to spiral into broader hostilities, raising fears amongst international observers regarding stability in the region.

Eide specifically critiques Israel's characterization of its military action as a preventative strike, arguing that such acts only meet the criteria of international law when they are in response to an immediate threat. He emphasizes the need for restraint from all parties involved and warns against abandoning diplomatic avenues as viable means to resolve the ongoing tensions. The Foreign Minister's statements reflect a critical stance on military aggression that lacks clear justification in international legal frameworks.

He also notes the troubling history of the Iranian regime's use of violence against its own people and support for terrorist groups abroad, indicating that these actions pose significant threats not only to regional neighbors but also globally. Eide stresses the importance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, underlining that stable diplomatic relations are essential to long-term peace and security in the Middle East.