Foreign Ministers

• De Iraanse en Egyptische ministers van Buitenlandse Zaken hebben op zondag 10 mei 2026 een telefoongesprek gevoerd om de laatste regionale ontwikkelingen en de lopende diplomatieke inspanningen tussen Teheran en Washington, onder bemiddeling van Pakistan, te bespreken. • De discussies vinden plaats te midden van toenemende onzekerheid over de diplomatie rond het staakt-het-vuren, nadat Amerikaanse president Donald Trump de laatste reactie van Iran op een Amerikaans voorstel als "totaal onaanvaardbaar" bestempelde. • Dit contact signaleert de potentiële rol van Egypte bij het overbruggen van de kloof tussen Iran en de VS, te midden van escalerende spanningen in het Midden-Oosten waarbij Pakistan optreedt als belangrijke tussenpersoon.

A part suspension was tabled by Ireland, Spain and Slovenia but did not receive enough backing from other member statesThe EU remains split on imposing sanctions on Israel, despite some member states criticising the country over the plight of Gaza and violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, said proposals for a part suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement remained on the table but required states to shift their positions to come into force. Speaking after a meeting between EU foreign ministers on Tuesday, she told reporters: “We didn’t see that today, but these discussions will continue.” Continue reading...

Representatives from EU countries are meeting in Luxembourg todayJust as expected.Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares has just confirmed that Spain, Slovenia and Ireland have requested a discussion on suspending the EU’s association treaty with Israel at today’s meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers.“European Union has to say today very clearly to Israel that that change is needed. That’s not the right path, and that while Israel continues in that path of a permanent perpetual war, we will not be able to [run our relations] in the same way.” Continue reading...

• G7 foreign ministers have rejected US President Trump's request to send troops to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, citing concerns about escalation into a broader conflict with Iran. • The group of seven nations stated they would only assist with securing the critical energy export passage once hostilities with Iran conclude, and condemned Iran's closure of the strait as affecting non-combatant countries. • Trump has publicly criticized European and NATO allies for refusing to establish the mission, suggesting their participation should not be conditioned on ceasefire negotiations.

• G7 foreign ministers rejected US President Donald Trump's push to deploy troops for securing the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran conflict, stating assistance only after hostilities end. • French Foreign Minister Jeanuel Baru condemned Iran's closure of the strait, impacting non-conflicting countries, while Trump criticized European and NATO allies for hesitation. • The decision highlights transatlantic tensions over escalation risks in the energy chokepoint vital for global oil exports.

• European Union foreign ministers convened in Brussels to address the escalating Iran conflict now in its third week, coordinating response to regional instability and implications for European interests. • The high-level coordination reflects EU concerns about energy security, maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential for wider Middle Eastern destabilization affecting European allies.