BRUSSELS: The European Union on Saturday urged all parties involved in the escalating tensions between Israel, the United States, and Iran to exercise “maximum restraint.” Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described the developments as “deeply concerning” and announced that the 27-nation bloc is evacuating non-essential personnel from the region. She stressed the critical importance of ensuring nuclear safety and avoiding any actions that could escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime. In a joint statement with António Costa, President of the European Council, von der Leyen said: “We call on all sides to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians, and respect international law.” Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, added that the EU’s consular network is fully engaged in facilitating the evacuation of citizens, and non-essential staff are being withdrawn from the region
