Trump's actions against Iran spark European disagreements, Middle East tensions escalate, and oil prices soar by 13%

March 2 News: According to FT, after U.S. President Trump ordered a military strike on Iran, the Middle East situation rapidly escalated, forcing many European countries to become involved in the expanding regional crisis. France, Germany, and the UK recently announced they would take “moderate defensive actions” to protect their interests, including possible strikes on Iran’s missile and drone launch capabilities.

The conflict originated from large-scale airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. The attack resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, prompting Iran to carry out a series of retaliatory actions against Western allies in the Gulf region. Latest reports indicate that a suspected Iranian drone attacked a UK military base in southern Cyprus, further increasing security risks in Europe. Previously, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved the U.S. use of UK bases for military operations against Iran.

As the situation worsens, EU member states’ positions have shown clear divisions. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez publicly criticized the U.S.-Israel military actions, calling for an immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomatic dialogue. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Western countries should not engage in “preachy criticism” of allies and emphasized the need for unity among Western nations.

Meanwhile, European security agencies are beginning to worry that Iran-backed proxy groups may carry out retaliatory attacks in Europe. Some EU officials pointed out that without a clear alternative government plan, sudden regime changes in Iran could pose more complex regional security risks.

As the Middle East conflict continues to expand, global markets have already shown noticeable reactions. Due to rising risks to Gulf shipping security, crude oil prices surged by about 13%, and energy transportation costs increased rapidly. Market analysts believe that the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are becoming a significant factor influencing global energy prices and financial market volatility, with the future development remaining highly uncertain.