Initially, it appeared that the European Union would respond to the recent Israeli-American strikes on Iran in a traditional and somewhat symbolic manner, advocating for 'diplomatic efforts' and reiterating previously imposed sanctions on Iran. However, the situation escalated as Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced an emergency meeting to address the Iran issue, especially after the foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries found themselves at odds over a joint statement.

In a sharper response, the leaders of the so-called E3 – France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – issued a strong statement condemning Iran’s 'indiscriminate and disproportionate missile strikes' on regional countries, which they stated threatened their close allies and endangered European soldiers and civilians. This notable shift in tone reflects growing concerns over Iran's aggressive actions and their potential ramifications for European security interests.

In light of these developments, the E3 leaders declared their intention to take measures to protect their own and allied interests. They announced plans to enable necessary and proportionate defensive actions aimed at dismantling Iran's capacity to launch missiles and drones, hinting at a more proactive and coordinated European approach to regional security challenges posed by Iran.