Polish premier fears escalation in Middle East instability
Donald Tusk believes Middle East situation could escalate, drawing more players into the fray, with serious ramifications for oil prices
WARSAW
The situation in the Middle East is unlikely to stabilize in the coming days, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday, citing information from allies as tensions escalate following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
“For several dozen hours I have had reason to believe, based on information we have received from our allies, that it is difficult to expect stabilization in the Middle East in the coming days,” Tusk told journalists in Warsaw.
“This may even lead to escalation of the situation. We cannot expect a radical improvement in the oil market,” Tusk added.
Polish officials have not publicly detailed the intelligence behind Tusk’s assessment, but his reference to allied information suggests coordination within NATO and EU security structures.
The remarks come as fighting between Iran and a US-Israeli coalition intensifies, raising concerns in Warsaw and elsewhere about regional escalation and broader global consequences.
Recently, Tusk has repeatedly warned that the conflict could expand beyond a limited military operation.
In his earlier comments, cited by Polish broadcaster Radio Zet, the prime minister said the confrontation between Israel and Iran was “moving towards a regular war in the region that could destabilize the entire world” and warned that the situation is the most dangerous since WWII.
Polish authorities have been closely monitoring developments since the first strikes, with Tusk saying he has received ongoing briefings from the defense and foreign ministries.
Warsaw has taken precautionary steps in response to the conflict, including urging Polish citizens to leave Iran and avoid travel to the region.
“Please leave Iran immediately,” Tusk said previously, warning that the possibility of a “hot conflict” was “very real” and that evacuation could quickly become impossible.
The government has also launched evacuation efforts for Polish nationals across the Middle East, describing the situation as having “a wartime character” and requiring full mobilization of diplomatic services.
Tusk’s latest comments reflect growing uncertainty in Europe over the scope and duration of the US-Israel war on Iran.
While US President Donald Trump has suggested that the strikes could be limited, European leaders appear increasingly concerned that the conflict may escalate into a broader regional war involving multiple actors.
Poland, a key NATO member on the alliance’s eastern flank, has taken an increasingly active role in responding to global security crises since Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
Warsaw has significantly increased defense spending and has positioned itself as a major logistical and political hub for NATO operations in Europe.
Tusk has stressed that coordination with allies remains crucial in managing the fallout from the Middle East conflict, warning that further escalation could have direct implications for European security.
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