EU welcomes Trump’s 5-day pause on Iran energy strikes, says 'any' restraint is welcome

- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomes Trump’s decision to pause strikes, saying 'I think the recent statement that there will be no attacks on energy infrastructure is a very welcome development'

ISTANBUL

The EU on Monday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days, welcoming "any” expression of restraint.

Speaking at a European Commission press briefing, commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc supports all efforts to lower tensions in the Middle East.

“I will recall what our leaders have said – a clear call for de-escalation and maximum restraint. Therefore, any expression of restraint is welcome,” he told reporters.

El Anouni said the EU remains actively engaged diplomatically with regional and international partners to prevent further escalation, noting ongoing contacts with key actors, including Iran and Gulf countries.

He underlined that the EU’s top diplomat, foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, has been in “constant contact” with counterparts across the region, including Türkiye, Qatar, and Iran, as part of efforts to contain the crisis and promote dialogue.

Separately, speaking at a press conference in Nigeria, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed recent statements indicating a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, describing the development as a positive step toward de-escalation.

"I think the recent statement that there will be no attacks on energy infrastructure is a very welcome development. I think any attacks on infrastructure are causing chaos in the region and really escalating this war even further," she said.

Trump on Monday said he had ordered a five-day postponement of all strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, citing “very good and productive” talks with Tehran over the weekend.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, with Tehran retaliating through repeated drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.