Israel and Iran on the brink : preventing the next war

The 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran in June 2025 profoundly altered the strategic landscape of the Middle East, exposing the fragility of past deterrence. With Israel emboldened, Iran determined to continue its resistance and US foreign policy at its most unpredictable, the risk of military escalation is dangerously high. In this uncertain environment, European actors can still play a critical role: urging Tehran and Washington to show restraint and build trust step by step, reviving nuclear diplomacy, sustaining a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran, and helping to contain regional fallout should Israel and Iran return to war.