European and Middle Eastern ministers warn US and Israel against fresh strikes on Iran

Foreign ministers from eight European and Middle Eastern nations convened in Istanbul on October 23, 2026, warning the United States and Israel against launching renewed strikes on Iran. As the U.S. builds up its naval and air presence in the Gulf and Ambassador Tom Barrack signals potential weekend strikes, regional leaders caution that military escalation will broaden conflict, exacerbate the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and send global oil prices beyond their current multi-month highs.

Istanbul ministerial summit

• ▪Foreign ministers from eight European and Middle Eastern nations met in Istanbul on October 23, 2026, urging the United States and Israel to refrain from renewing military attacks on Iran.
• ▪Foreign ministers of the R4 group issued a joint statement after their October 23, 2026 meeting declaring that Israeli occupation constitutes the fundamental source of regional instability.
• ▪Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated following the October 23, 2026 R4+E3 meeting in Istanbul that military intervention in Iran is no solution and would spread regional war.
• ▪The October 23, 2026 Istanbul summit brought together E3 nations Germany, the United Kingdom, and France alongside Italy, meeting with R4 members Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.

US military buildup warnings

• ▪United States Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack stated that Washington could strike Iran as early as the weekend of October 24, 2026.
• ▪The United States military sent a third aircraft carrier and thousands of troops to the Gulf, assembling its largest naval and air force in the Middle East since 2003.
• ▪Iranian military officials activated the Mosaic Defence doctrine to operate in a decentralized manner if central command structures are destroyed during renewed attacks.
• ▪The United States Department of State ordered non-essential government employees and family members to depart Saudi Arabia due to potential escalation of hostilities.

Strait of Hormuz blockade

• ▪Foreign ministers at the October 23, 2026 Istanbul summit demanded an immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz, currently blockaded by Iranian ships and drones.
• ▪Seven oil tankers caught fire or suffered damage in the Strait of Hormuz on October 22, 2026, after being struck by Iranian forces or naval mines.
• ▪Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called for de-escalation and dialogue to guarantee freedom of navigation and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

• ▪Houthi attacks forced Saudi Arabia to close its main airport and postpone a major investment conference.
• ▪Ministers at the October 23, 2026 Istanbul summit demanded an immediate end to Houthi militia assaults on Saudi Arabia.
• ▪France announced military support to protect the Saudi Arabian Red Sea oil terminal of Yanbu, while the United Kingdom announced fighter jet deployments to counter Houthi attacks.

Oil price escalation concerns

• ▪Global crude oil prices reached their highest level since May 2026 amid fears of renewed war between the United States and Iran.
• ▪German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul accused the Houthis and Iran of blackmailing world trade and choking global supplies of energy and fertilizer.
• ▪French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that renewed military conflict between the United States and Iran would push global oil prices higher.