European states have different stances on the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed at a meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday that Germany agrees that the regime in Tehran must be removed from power. The UK initially refused to allow the US to use British military bases for attacks on Iran but hasow given permission in specific cases. Meanwhile Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has spoken out against the strikes and called them a violation of international law.

The conflict in the Middle East is pushing up oil and gas prices. Threats from Iran have paralysed maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with tankers piling up on both sides. After deliveries from Qatar were suspended the price of liquefiedatural gas (LNG) on the Amsterdam stock exchange jumped from below 32 euros on Friday to more than 62 euros per megawatt hour on Tuesday. Europe's press looks at the short-, medium- and long-term consequences.

France will focus on increasing itsuclear arsenal and use it to enhance Europe's collective security, President Emmanuel Macron stated in his speech on the update to the country'suclear doctrine. He also mentioned the possibility of relocating Frenchuclear weapons to other European countries. Shortly after the speech, France and Germany issued a joint statement establishing a "steering group" for closer cooperation on deterrence.