Overview
- EU leaders formally urged a halt to attacks on energy and water infrastructure in the Middle East, citing the need to protect civilians and uphold international law.
- They asked member states to add assets to the EU’s Aspides Red Sea mission and Atalanta counter‑piracy operation, specifying that any reinforcement remain within existing mandates.
- The European Council welcomed announced national efforts to coordinate with regional partners to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow.
- Recent attacks struck Iran’s South Pars gas facilities and Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex, with reports saying two LNG trains were destroyed and exports could drop about 17% for three to five years.
- European natural gas prices jumped as much as 35% as markets reacted, while President Donald Trump pressed allies for a stronger maritime security role and asked Israel to pause further strikes.