A decisive blow has been struck. In a joint operation of unprecedented scale – dubbed Epic Fury and Roaring Lion – American and Israeli forces have eliminated key figures within the Iranian regime, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This wasn’t a preemptive strike based on speculation, but a calculated response to decades of escalating aggression.
While American service members and Israeli pilots currently face retaliatory attacks, absorbing the initial shock so the world doesn’t have to, the response from Europe has been… muted. A “greatly concerning” statement here, a warning of “outbreak of war” there, and a swift chorus of disclaimers emphasizing non-participation. The message is clear: distance, not solidarity.
This isn’t simply disappointing; it’s a fundamental question about the strength of the transatlantic alliance. If Europe won’t offer even vocal support while the United States and Israel bear the brunt of the risk, what purpose does the alliance truly serve?
The reluctance stems from a long history of denial. Years spent attempting to salvage the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) blinded European officials to the reality of Iran’s actions. Intelligence was ignored, evidence dismissed, and a financial workaround – INSTEX – was created to circumvent sanctions and maintain trade with the mullahs.
This wasn’t restraint; it was enablement. Iran systematically violated the JCPOA’s enrichment limits, reaching 60% purity – dangerously close to weapons-grade material. Europe’s unwavering fidelity to a failing agreement didn’t curb Iran’s ambitions; it fueled them.
The irony is stark. For years, Iran has actively targeted Europe itself. A foiled bombing plot near Paris threatened tens of thousands of lives, including a British MP who described it as potentially the deadliest terror attack in European history. Journalists in London were attacked, and intelligence agencies uncovered dozens of Iran-backed plots across the continent.
From assassination attempts in the Netherlands to the surveillance of Jewish targets in Germany and France, Iran’s aggression on European soil is undeniable. Yet, Europe continues to equivocate, offering cautious statements instead of resolute condemnation.
The regime in Tehran deliberately chose this path. They pursued near-weapons-grade uranium enrichment, orchestrated the horrific October 7th attacks through Hamas, and unleashed the Houthis on international shipping lanes. They brutally suppressed their own people, slaughtering thousands during the largest protests in decades.
Even as diplomatic talks were touted as a potential breakthrough, Iran tripled its oil exports, effectively shielding its economy from sanctions. The path to negotiation had reached its end. The recent strikes were not impulsive, but a necessary culmination of years of failed diplomacy and escalating threats.
With Khamenei and key IRGC leaders eliminated, the regime is visibly scrambling. The hastily formed temporary leadership council is a clear sign of desperation, not strength. While retaliatory strikes demonstrate the continued danger, the pressure must be sustained.
The United States and Israel must continue operations until Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile capabilities, and capacity for proxy warfare are permanently dismantled. Any emerging authority in Tehran must understand that attempting to rebuild these programs will result in annihilation.
Europe’s role isn’t to engage in combat. It’s to offer unequivocal public support. Not calls for “restraint,” but a firm backing of the campaign to dismantle the regime’s military capabilities. It’s to enforce the full scope of sanctions without exception, and to stand with the Iranian people, not their oppressors.
The world is watching, particularly Beijing. China has deepened its ties with Tehran, purchasing discounted oil in defiance of sanctions. If Europe remains on the sidelines, China will conclude that the Western alliance lacks the unity to confront determined adversaries – a calculation that will undoubtedly influence its actions regarding Taiwan and beyond.
This is a critical moment. The United States and Israel have demonstrated their resolve, paying a heavy price in resources, risk, and lives. Europe owes it to its allies, to the Iranian people, and to its own values to stand firmly beside them – publicly, unequivocally, and without reservation. The time to prove it is now.
