Iran: ‘We continue to believe that military force should always remain a last resort’, Belgian FM says

Belgians foreign Minister Maxime Prévot responded with nuance to the attacks carried out by Israel and the United States on Iran on Saturday. "We understand the profound security concerns and the long-standing frustration with Iran's refusal to cooperate constructively, which have led to these measures, although we continue to believe that military force should always remain a last resort," the minister said in a post on X.

“Belgium is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Iran and the region. An initial crisis meeting has taken place, and more meetings will follow throughout the day. We are in close contact with our embassies.”

"We deeply regret that diplomatic efforts did not lead to a negotiated solution sooner. The EU and the US have been engaged in continuous diplomatic efforts for years," the Belgian minister said. “The EU called for the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, ed.) to be added to its list of terrorist organizations. This was done. The EU called for new sanctions, which were adopted. Despite all this pressure, however, the Iranian regime has not abandoned its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, nor its destabilizing role in the region.”

“Belgium has always condemned this regime: its systematic violations of human rights, its threat to regional and global security, and its refusal to cooperate constructively. We understand the profound security concerns and the long-standing frustration with Iran's refusal to cooperate constructively that have prompted these measures, although we continue to believe that military force should always remain a last resort, in compliance with international law.”

“Our thoughts are with the Iranian people. They have suffered under this regime for decades. They deserve peace, dignity, and a future free from oppression. They should not pay the price for their government's choices.”

^{| © AFP}