Teresa Ribera, the European Commission's vice-president and former deputy prime minister of Spain, voiced strong criticism of Ursula von der Leyen's recent comments regarding the Iran war and Europe's shifting role in the international order. Ribera, who was appointed to her position by von der Leyen herself, expressed her dissatisfaction during an interview with Onda Cero. She argued that von der Leyen's framing of the current geopolitical challenges in light of the post-World War II international structure, embodied in the United Nations Charter, was inappropriate and did not adequately address urgent modern issues.

In her remarks, Ribera emphasized the need for clarity and direction in addressing current global challenges, questioning whether the established international order needs to be updated. She cautioned against leaving ambiguous the discussion surrounding the necessity of revising this order to find effective solutions to contemporary problems. Ribera's criticisms not only reflect concerns about von der Leyen's leadership but also touch on broader issues regarding Europe's strategic positioning in a rapidly changing world landscape.

This critique from Ribera underscores a rising tension within European leadership on the adequacy of current approaches to international relations, particularly during crises such as the one unfolding in Iran. The implications of this discourse may also affect the coherence and credibility of the EU's foreign policy as it navigates complex global dynamics, including its relationships with other major powers.