EU bosses split over US-Israeli war against Iran

March 11, 2026

TL;DR

Antonio Costa rebuked Ursula von der Leyen for her support of the war against Iran, stating bombs cannot achieve freedom and human rights.
Von der Leyen suggested that the conflict could lead to a free Iran and questioned the relevance of the rules-based international order.
The speeches by Costa and von der Leyen revealed a rift within EU leadership during the EU Ambassadors Conference in Brussels.
Von der Leyen believes consensus-building in the EU can hinder credibility, despite consensus being a treaty default for foreign policy.
EU member states have faced challenges in reaching consensus on issues like defense spending, aid to Ukraine, and sanctions on Russia.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez have opposed certain EU foreign policy directions.
Sanchez has criticized rearmament and spending on wars, and is a critic of US-led strikes on Iran.
Von der Leyen reportedly views Orban and Sanchez as obstacles to her proposals.
Russia condemned the strikes against Iran as a violation of international law.

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