EU foreign ministers to meet over Middle East, Ukraine
EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels at the start of a week of high-level diplomacy on the Middle East and Ukraine, with the NATO summit in The Hague tomorrow and a summit of EU leaders on Thursday.
Foreign ministers will give their initial response to an EU report which holds that Israel is in breach of its obligations under its trade arrangements with Europe due the conduct of its war in Gaza and its activities in the occupied West Bank.
Ministers are also expected to reiterate calls for a de-escalation of the Israel-Iran crisis following the US bombing of key Iranian nuclear sites.
Foreign ministers will begin with a briefing from the EU intelligence and situation centre on the unfolding crisis over Israel's attack on Iran, which has now been joined by the United States.
In a statement, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was deeply concerned by the very real risk of an extremely dangerous spiral of escalation in the Middle East following the US military action.
He said the EU had a role in spearheading a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
However, US President Donald Trump has made it clear he does not see any role for the European Union.
Separately, foreign ministers will give their first assessment of a searing indictment of Israel's policy on Gaza and the West Bank in a report produced by the EU's Special Representative for Human Rights.
The review, circulated to member states on Friday, held that Israel is in violation of Article 2 of the EU Israel Association Agreement, which binds both sides to human rights and international humanitarian law obligations.
Last night, Israel dismissed the report as a "moral and methodological failure," saying it should be dismissed entirely.
EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas will take stock of how foreign ministers view the findings before briefing EU leaders later in the week.
It seems likely that a menu of options to hold Israel to account - possibly including trade sanctions - will not be presented to foreign ministers until their next meeting in July.
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Iran launches missiles and drones at Israel in the wake of US strikes
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Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
World is braced for Iran terror backlash
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In an address to the nation as the B-2s were flying home, Mr Trump said: 'Our objective was the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number-one state sponsor of terror. 'Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier.' Ayatollah Khamenei. Pic: Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Mr Trump boasted that America had 'taken the bomb right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!)', while his secretary of state Marco Rubio claimed the US had offered Iran a civil nuclear programme but 'they rejected it'. Mr Rubio added: 'They played us. They wouldn't respond to our offers. They disappeared for ten days. 'The president had to take action as a response. We are not declaring war on Iran. We're not looking for war in Iran. But if they attack us, I think we have the capabilities they haven't even seen yet.' On Sunday night, despite widespread calls to de-escalate, Iran president Masoud Pezeshkian said the US 'must receive a response for their aggression'. And a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, warned that 'there will no longer be any place for the presence of the United States and its bases' in the region. US president Donald Trump, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth and US secretary of state Marco Rubio. Pic: Daniel Torok/The White House via Getty Images Abbas Araghaci, Iran's foreign minister, who described the US government as 'lawless and warmongering', is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow today to discuss how to respond. On Sunday night, the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog said Iran's Natanz enrichment site was 'completely destroyed'. The extent of the damage at the Fordow site, built into a mountainside and reinforced with layers of concrete, is unclear. Discussing Fordow, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said: 'There are clear indications of impacts. But, as for the assessment for the degree of damage underground… no one could tell you how much it has been damaged. One cannot exclude that there is significant damage there.' Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris both called for an 'urgent' de-escalation and a negotiated solution on Iran's nuclear facilities. They said they are in close contact with their European counterparts before a meeting of EU foreign leaders today and of EU leaders later in the week. 'Diplomacy and dialogue is ultimately the only way to resolve these issues,' Mr Martin said. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/ UK prime minister Keir Starmer and President Trump discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table in a phone call last night, Downing Street said. A spokesman said: 'The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and reiterated the grave risk posed by Iran's nuclear programme to international security. They discussed the actions taken by the United States to reduce the threat and agreed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. 'They discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible. They agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.' Speaking after the US strikes, UK business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News that the risk from Iran in the UK was 'not hypothetical'. He said: 'There is not a week goes by without some sort of Iranian cyber attack on a key part of the UK's critical national infrastructure. There is Iranian activity on the streets of the UK, which is wholly unacceptable. 'It's already at a significant level. I think it would be naive to say that that wouldn't potentially increase.' The UK was informed of the mission, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, but played no part. Mr Reynolds last night warned that Iranian activity in the UK was already substantial, and that it was 'naive' to think it won't escalate. A statement of the E3 group, with the UK alongside France and Germany, said: 'We call upon Iran to engage in negotiations leading to an agreement that addresses all concerns associated with its nuclear programme. We stand ready to contribute to that goal in coordination with all parties. 'We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region.' However, Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for world trade and oil transit.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Terrifying moment CNN star Anderson Cooper forced to flee while live on TV in Israel during Iran missile attack
THIS is the harrowing moment CNN anchor Anderson Cooper is forced to quickly evacuate his post in Israel while live on air amid a terrifying missile blitz. The iconic newsreader was discussing the raging Middle East conflict on TV as Iran rained hell on Tel Aviv, forcing him and his crew to run for their lives. Advertisement 6 Anderson Cooper made a dramatic escape live on air during a terrifying missile alarm 6 He was live on air with Clarissa Ward (C) and Jeremy Diamond (R) Credit: CNN 6 The CNN host dashed for a bomb shelter following Iran's retaliatory strikes Cooper was speaking with CNN's chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, and Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond, when blaring sirens started to sound in the early hours of Monday. Horrified spectators watched in suspense as Cooper and his crew made a daring escape during the Tehran's retaliatory blitz came after Donald Trump made the bombshell decision to strike the Ayatollah's key nuclear sites on Sunday through In the shocking footage, the trio are stood on a hotel balcony while discussing the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Advertisement read more celebrity news Suddenly, the frightening sound of the alarms start to ring out, and Ward says: "I should just say that we're now hearing an alert." Cooper tells viewers that they are receiving alerts on their phones saying that He tells the shocked audience: "So these are these are the alerts that go out on all of our phones when you're in Israel. "It's a 10-minute warning of incoming missiles or something incoming from Iran." Advertisement Most read in Celebrity He continues: "So now the location we're in has a verbal alarm telling people to go down into "So we have about a 10-minute window to get down into a bomb shelter." Trump's shock Iran strikes take us to brink of global conflict and will strengthen Axis of Evil alliance, experts warn The shaken CNN star asks his crew if they can keep filming while making a run for it. Cooper's voice wavers as the team make the quick decision to run downstairs to a bunker while continuing the broadcast. Advertisement He can be heard saying: "And we'll continue to try to broadcast from that, that bomb shelter. And even if we can, on the way down." The news star asks: "I think we're going to head down to the shelters - Chuck, do we have capabilities as we go down?" The crew member replies: "Just checking your microphones. Be ready in a second." Cooper then continues to talk viewers through their evacuation while he and the crew escape from their hotel room to the bomb shelter. Advertisement A frightening announcement can also be heard blasting from the hotel speakers. A staff member says: "Dear guests, we expect an alarm in the next 10 minutes." The Israel Defence Force confirmed the incoming strikes on Monday morning, but said that only one missile was launched and intercepted. They added that there were no injuries. Advertisement It comes as the Don suggested toppling Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to "Make Iran Great Again" after 6 Residential buildings in Tel AviV were damaged by Iranian missiles the morning after the US strikes Credit: Getty 6 Satellite pictures show Iran's Fordow nuclear facility after it was blitzed Credit: AFP 6 Advertisement Inspired by his Trump wrote on Truth Social: "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!" Iran's Supreme Leader is now plotting his revenge as the world holds its breath for a counter-punch against the global superpower. Tehran may also close the Strait of Hormuz - a bottleneck entrance to the Persian Gulf where nearly a quarter of the oil shipped around the world passes through narrow waters. Advertisement Choking off the Gulf would send global oil prices skyrocketing and derail the It may also lead to fighting with the Trump has already warned that further action could be taken if Tehran doesn't agree to an adequate peace deal, or tries to harm American interests.
