EU leaders welcome US-Iran ceasefire as Trump backs away from threats

The European Union has welcomed a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, following a last-minute agreement that saw President Donald Trump retreat from threats to destroy Iran’s “civilization.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a statement on X expressing her support for the breakthrough:

“I welcome the two-week ceasefire agreed upon by the United States and Iran last night. This provides a much-needed de-escalation. It is now crucial that negotiations continue to find a lasting solution to this conflict. To this end, we will maintain our coordination with our partners.”

The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, echoed these sentiments, describing the accord as a “step back from the brink after weeks of tension.”

“This agreement offers a much-needed opportunity to mitigate threats, halt missile attacks, resume maritime shipping, and create space for diplomacy toward a permanent settlement,” Kallas said.

However, Kallas warned that the deal must “ensure the reopening” of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor that Tehran effectively closed following the US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

“As the root causes of the war remain unresolved, the door for mediation must remain open. The EU stands ready to support these efforts and is in contact with partners in the region,” Kallas added.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also welcomed the agreement.

“The goal now must be to negotiate a permanent end to the war,” Merz said, adding that Berlin remains in “close consultation” with its partners on the matter.

French President Emmanuel Macron similarly characterized the ceasefire as “a very good thing,” adding, “Indeed, through negotiations, we will be able to provide the security guarantees necessary for stability across the region.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated the agreement would bring “a moment of breathing space for the region and the world.”

“Working with our partners, we must do everything we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a permanent agreement, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” said Starmer, who traveled to the Middle East today to meet with Gulf leaders.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has repeatedly condemned the US and Israeli strikes against Iran, adopted a more critical tone:

“Ceasefires are always good news, especially if they lead to a just and lasting peace. But this temporary relief cannot make us forget the chaos, destruction, and lives lost. The Spanish government will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.”

Speaking to POLITICO, a European official remarked, “TACO is better than World War III.” “TACO” is an acronym for “Trump Always Cops Out.”

The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, expressed hope that this pause would eventually lead to a negotiated end to the war.

These statements come amid persistent confusion regarding the details of the agreement between Washington and Tehran, which was mediated by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In a social media post last night, Trump claimed that a 10-point peace plan submitted by Iran was a “viable basis for negotiation” and that “agreement has been reached” on “almost all past disputes” between Washington and Tehran.

However, in a sign of potential complications ahead, Tehran’s plan includes several details previously rejected firmly by the US, including continued Iranian control over the Strait and a full US military withdrawal from the Middle East.

In a note published Wednesday morning, Deutsche Bank analysts wrote: “While Trump’s statements imply a ‘lower threshold’ for a deal, Iran’s reported 10-point plan contains elements previously unacceptable to the US and its allies, such as the lifting of all sanctions and Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz.”

European financial markets also responded positively to the ceasefire news on Wednesday morning.

the STOXX 600, a broad indicator of European equities, rose 3.7%. Yields on 10-year Bunds, a benchmark for eurozone sovereign debt, fell from 3.08% to 2.93%. The euro remained relatively stable against the dollar at $1.169.