European leaders say they remain “firmly attached to diplomacy” in efforts to contain and resolve the escalating Middle East conflict, while also signalling a need for tighter defence coordination to protect regional stability.

A European Commission spokesperson for foreign affairs, Anouar El Anouni, said EU leaders continue to prioritise diplomacy with Europe’s own security and stability in mind.

Separately, a Downing Street spokesperson said the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and Italy spoke on Friday and agreed that “intensive diplomacy and close military coordination” will be crucial in the coming hours and days.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that a collapse of Iranian statehood — or proxy conflicts fought on Iranian territory — could carry “far-reaching consequences” for Europe, including risks to security, energy supplies and migration.

Merz also said the Iranian people “have the right to freely determine their own destiny” and argued an open-ended conflict is not in Germany’s interest. Looking ahead, he suggested sanctions relief and aid could be possible, but only if Iran meets conditions including ending its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and maintaining economic and public order.

The leaders also welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s offer to share drone interception expertise with partners in the region, and reiterated that support for Ukraine should continue “at scale”, according to Downing Street.