EU launches emergency evacuation from Middle East amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions

The European Union is stepping in to assist member states with evacuations from Israel amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, announced that the European Commission had activated its Civil Protection Mechanism (CPM) to help coordinate emergency support.

Speaking in Brussels following an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers, Kallas confirmed that the EU was aiding countries in extracting their citizens who wished to leave the conflict zone.

“We are assisting member states to evacuate their citizens that wish to leave [Israel],” she stated.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have surged over the past week, with both sides exchanging rocket and drone strikes.

The confrontation escalated after Israel conducted a surprise military operation, targeting and killing several high-ranking Iranian officials in an effort to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

In retaliation, Iran launched a series of missile attacks on Tel Aviv, causing significant destruction and numerous casualties.

Dozens were reported dead, and multiple buildings in central Israel were reduced to rubble.

Several EU member countries, including Poland, Czechia, Latvia, and Lithuania, responded by initiating evacuation efforts for their nationals.

With Israeli airspace currently closed, Poland announced that it would bus around 200 citizens to Jordan, from where they would be flown to Warsaw.

Other nations have also begun deploying their own aircraft or alternative evacuation routes.

Meanwhile, Israel’s National Security Council issued a Level 4 travel warning, the highest level, for Israelis traveling by land via Sinai or Jordan.

These are the same corridors many European evacuees are now expected to use, adding to the risk involved in the evacuations.

The Civil Protection Mechanism, which was originally designed to provide a coordinated EU response during natural disasters, crises, or conflicts, was established over 20 years ago.

It has been reactivated now in light of the growing instability in the Middle East.

In addition to evacuation support, the EU is sending expert personnel to the region.

Furthermore, its Red Sea naval mission, known as ASPIDES, will continue safeguarding commercial vessels, particularly in high-risk maritime zones.

Kallas emphasized that while individual EU countries had already begun extracting their nationals, Brussels’ intervention ensures a more structured and united European response.

Despite these steps, she noted that the EU has not taken any direct measures to influence the ongoing conflict beyond facilitating evacuations and offering logistical support.

“We all agreed on the urgent need for de-escalation,” Kallas told reporters.

She stressed that while diplomacy remains the preferred route, the EU cannot afford to be passive regarding Iran’s recent nuclear activity.

Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declared that Iran had violated its nuclear non-proliferation commitments, raising alarm within the international community.

Although the EU’s immediate focus is the safety of its citizens and stability in the region, Kallas expressed concern about the potential for wider military involvement.

She specifically addressed the possibility of U.S. engagement following comments from former President Donald Trump suggesting military backing for Israel.

Such involvement, Kallas warned, would not benefit anyone and could spark a more extensive regional war.

She mentioned having received assurances from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Washington does not currently intend to participate in Israel’s military actions against Iran.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to intensify its operations. According to reports from Reuters, the Israeli military struck multiple targets on Tuesday night associated with Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.

As the situation unfolds, the EU’s primary concern remains the safe evacuation of its citizens and preventing the conflict from spiraling into a broader regional confrontation.

Kallas reiterated the EU’s call for restraint and reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution while continuing humanitarian and protective actions.

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