The European Union expressed solidarity with countries that have been attacked by Iran

EU foreign ministers held an informal three-hour video conference on the situation in Iran and the Middle East on Sunday evening following the start of a joint operation by Israel and the United States in Iran and Iran's retaliatory strikes.

The ministers expressed extreme concern over the situation and called for maximum restraint, protection of civilians, and full compliance with international law, including the principles of the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law.

During the discussion, the ministers also addressed issues of cooperation with partners in the region, potential economic consequences of the crisis, and its consular aspect.

At the end of the meeting, it was announced that the EU is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of EU citizens in the Middle East.

An unknown number of citizens from European countries are stranded in Iran and in Middle Eastern countries after Israel and the United States began bombing Iran on Saturday.

In response to the attack and the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tehran launched retaliatory strikes on various targets in the Middle East, leading to chaos in aviation. Thousands of flights were canceled at major airports such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

"The EU and its member states are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of EU citizens in the region, including activating the EU Civil Protection Mechanism if necessary," the EU said in a joint statement.

The Civil Protection Mechanism is a tool designed to enhance cooperation among European countries to improve disaster prevention and crisis response.

The ministers also warned that events in Iran should not lead to escalation, which could have unpredictable economic consequences. The EU called for avoiding disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which is an important maritime corridor for oil transportation.