Sánchez shows the responsible leadership Europe needs by standing up for international law

At a time of growing instability in the Middle East, responsible leadership requires clarity, respect for international law and a commitment to multilateral solutions. The military operation carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran was not mandated by the United Nations (UN) and was not discussed in the UN Security Council.

As Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reiterated, the same principles must apply consistently across conflicts - from Ukraine to Gaza and beyond.

All actors, including Iran, the United States and Israel, must respect international law, and decisions on the use of force must be grounded in the United Nations framework.
Responding to one illegality with another cannot be the path forward. The international community must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

The Iranian regime continues to brutally repress its own people and silence their legitimate aspirations for freedom. Furthermore, we continue to extend our full support and solidarity to our sister party, the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (PDKI), and the Women, Life, Freedom movement, which is a powerful and enduring expression of resistance.

At the same time, the current escalation risks further destabilising the region. The recent reactions, attacks, and threats by Iran across the Middle East underline the urgent need to prevent a wider conflict. These attacks have already reached Europe through Cyprus, and we must prevent further escalation. As Sánchez warned, we cannot play "Russian roulette" with the lives of millions.

PES President Stefan Löfven said:

"Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is demonstrating principled and courageous leadership that Europe needs at this moment. Standing up for international law is essential to preserve the global order that has secured peace and cooperation for decades.

Across these conflicts, we must never lose sight of the human cost of war. The children of Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, and Iran are not different. Their lives have the same value and deserve the same protection.

The Iranian regime continues to violently repress its own citizens, denying them the freedoms they deserve. We strongly condemn this repression.

At the same time, military actions that are not grounded in international law risk further destabilising an already fragile region. Iran's recent escalatory reactions across the Middle East only reinforce the urgency of preventing a spiral of confrontation.

In moments like these, consistency in upholding international law matters. The same principles must apply everywhere. Responding to one illegality with another only deepens instability and risks a dangerous spiral of escalation.

Prime Minister Sánchez is not only representing the Spanish government's position - he is standing up for the values and principles that underpin the European Union and the international order.
We stand in full solidarity with Cyprus following the direct threats it faced yesterday. Europe must stand and act together.
I am seriously concerned by the lack of reaction from other European leaders. The EU must act with urgency and determination to protect its member states and uphold international law."

The PES also welcomes the swift reaction of the President of the European Council António Costa, who spoke with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to express the EU's full solidarity with Spain and reaffirm the Union's commitment to international law and the rules-based international order.

The PES reiterates its commitment to multilateralism, diplomacy, and international law as the only sustainable path to security and stability in the region, stressing that escalation and war cannot be the answer to the challenges facing the international community.