Europe Defends Military Bases From War 03/03 06:22

   The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes across the 
Middle East are quickly dragging Europe in, forcing the continent into 
defensive action to protect military bases and evacuate citizens caught up in 
the conflict.

   BRUSSELS (AP) -- The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory 
strikes across the Middle East are quickly dragging Europe in, forcing the 
continent into defensive action to protect military bases and evacuate citizens 
caught up in the conflict.

   The Middle East is home to some of Europe's key trading partners, and a 
number of strategic trading routes. Many Europeans live in cities such as 
Beirut, Dubai or Jerusalem, while large communities from countries including 
Turkey, Egypt and the Gulf states have settled across Europe. Europeans weren't 
consulted on this U.S.-Israeli operation but are now dealing with the fallout.

   While refusing to directly join the war, Britain, France and Germany have 
said they would work with the United State to help stop Iran's attacks. The 
U.K. will allow U.S. forces to use British bases to attack Iran's missiles and 
launch sites.

   But Europe itself is not immune. Cyprus, holder of the European Union's 
rotating presidency, had to insist that it was not involved in the conflict 
after a Shahed-type drone damaged a U.K. air base on the island's southern 
coast over the weekend. The Shaheds were developed by Iran but have already 
been used in Europe, by Russia in its war on Ukraine.

   Wary of other attacks at home, some European countries are also beefing up 
security at train stations and airports.

   Still, almost no European leader has criticized the U.S.-Israeli attacks. 
Many are satisfied to see the downfall of an Iranian regime that has for years 
arrested European citizens and challenged Europe's economic interests.

   Spain has been a rare dissenting voice. "One can be against a hateful 
regime," Prime Minister Pedro Snchez said Sunday, "and at the same time, be 
against a military intervention that is unjustifiable, dangerous and outside of 
international law."

   At the same time, helping to foster stability in the volatile Middle East 
region is a European priority. Fears over a sustained hike in oil prices, and 
the possibility of a new wave of unpredictable migration mean that the 
continent must remain involved.

   Priority to stranded citizens

   Europe's major short-term priority is ensuring the safety of thousands of 
citizens caught up in the war as it spreads.

   Concerns about getting people out were raised during an emergency meeting of 
EU foreign ministers over the weekend. No joint evacuation effort was launched, 
but one could be needed imminently.

   Germany says that about 30,000 German tourists are stuck on cruise ships, in 
hotels or at closed airports and cannot get back home because of the conflict. 
Most of them are in the Middle East but some are further afield, stranded 
because their travel connections run through Abu Dhabi, Qatar or Dubai. A 
military evacuation was not possible due to airspace closures.

   The Czech Republic, meanwhile, has sent two planes to Egypt and Jordan to 
bring home Czech nationals, dozens of whom have traveled by bus from Israel. 
Another four planes were to be sent to Oman to pick up more of the estimated 
6,700 Czechs in the region.

   Europe's economic interests

   Iran has been threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of 
the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes, and ships have 
been attacked there. Calls have mounted for the EU to help protect merchant 
vessels.

   In response, France was sending two more warships to beef up Operation 
Aspides, the bloc's naval mission in the region. But they would only deploy to 
the distant Red Sea and Gulf of Aden -- gateways to the Suez Canal, which links 
the Red Sea to the Mediterranean -- to join three other ships already in place.

   Operation Aspides was set up two years ago, to help defend maritime traffic 
against possible attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen. But while the Houthis 
have expressed support for Iran, they did not immediately announce any military 
action on its behalf.

   Discussion is underway on a review of the operation's mandate and a possible 
toughening of its rules of engagement, but no changes are expected soon.

   Regional stability

   Maintaining stability in the wider Middle East is a key European concern. 
Iran's acts of retaliation in several countries have been widely condemned.

   EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is expected to convene a meeting with 
Gulf Cooperation Council countries at foreign minister level later this week, 
as the bloc continues to try to reassure Iran's neighbors and other vulnerable 
countries nearby.

   "Iran's attacks of a number of countries in the Middle East are inexcusable. 
The events must not lead to further escalation that could threaten the region, 
Europe and beyond, with unpredictable consequences," Kallas said after chairing 
Sunday's emergency talks.

   The EU intends to drive diplomatic efforts to help reduce tensions, and 
still aims to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons despite its nuclear 
development deal falling apart after the Trump administration pulled the U.S. 
out.

   NATO weighs in

   NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in an interview that the United 
States' and Israel's war against Iran is crucial for security in Europe. He 
said the allies could support the effort even without direct involvement in 
military operations, through logistics and access.

   Rutte, a former prime minister of the Netherlands, said he unreservedly 
approves of Trump's decision to attack Iran and kill its supreme leader, 
raising the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.

   "It would be a stranglehold on Israel. It could potentially mean Israel's 
defeat," Rutte told German public broadcaster ARD in its Brussels studio on 
Monday.

   When asked the possibility of NATO entering the war, Rutte said absolutely 
no one believed that NATO would be involved. "This is Iran, this is the Gulf, 
this is outside NATO territory," he said.

   NATO troops deployed for 20 years to Afghanistan and its 2011 air campaign 
helped topple Libya's late leader Moammar Gadhafi.

   New leaders in Iran

   Officials say the EU has no preferred candidate to take over in Tehran, and 
in any case it's too early to tell who might be best to back as future leader. 
The foreign ministers primarily expressed "solidarity with the Iranian people."

   They offered support to "their fundamental aspirations for a future where 
their universal human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected."

   The Europeans insist that a genuine popular movement against the regime 
arose in recent months but that it was shut down in an unprecedented wave of 
violence. Thousands were killed and tens of thousands detained.

   One thing is clear. The EU is unlikely to back any leadership pushed by 
Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The IRGC was added the bloc's terror list last 
month, making it almost impossible for the Europeans to take them seriously as 
an interlocutor.