Ursula von der Leyen at the press conference in Brussels, Belgium in December 2025. Credit line: dts Nachrichtenagentur / imago stock&people / Profimedia
The president of the European Commission announced in a message on X that she spoke with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar about “the consequences of Iran's reckless and indiscriminate attacks on the country”. She claims to have assured Qatar of “strong European solidarity” and speaks of the need for a quick transition in Iran.
“At a time when the region is in deep turmoil, Qatar can count on strong European solidarity. Just as we could count on Qatar's support for European citizens, and for this we thanked the Sheikh. The risk of further escalation is real,” wrote Ursula von der Leyen on X.
She says a credible transition in Iran is “urgently needed” to ensure stability and “pave the way to a lasting solution”.
“This must mean halting Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile military programs and ending destabilizing actions in the air, on land and at sea. Above all, it must reflect and support the democratic aspirations of the courageous Iranian people,” von der Leyen wrote.
Off the phone with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar.
We discussed the aftermath of Iran's reckless and indiscriminate strikes on the country.
With the region in deep upheaval, Qatar can count on strong European solidarity.
Just as we could count on Qatar's support to…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 1, 2026
Hundreds of thousands of travelers were stranded or diverted to other airports after Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain closed their airspace. The move came after the US and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday morning, and Iran retaliated.
