EU leaders push back against joining attacks on Iran as oil prices rise
Global News
European leaders have deflected entreaties from U.S. President Donald Trump to send military assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
European leaders doubled down Thursday on refusing to join the United States and Israel military campaigns in the Middle East as they met in Brussels to grapple with rising oil and gas prices caused by the war.
European leaders have deflected entreaties from U.S. President Donald Trump to send military assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the global flow of oil, gas and fertilizer.
However, rising energy prices because of the war and fears in Europe of a new refugee crisis have pushed leaders to make the Middle East a priority at the summit.
“We are very worried about the energy crisis,” said Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever ahead of the summit. He said that energy prices were too high before the war, but that the conflict “created another spike.”
“If that becomes structural, we’re in deep trouble,” he said.
The summit was initially expected to center on overcoming Hungary’s opposition to a massive loan for Ukraine, but the conflicts in Iran and Lebanon reset the agenda.
European leaders have been deeply critical of the Iranian government, but none have offered immediate help to the U.S. Britain is flat-out refusing to be drawn into the war. France says the fighting would have to die down first.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said that Europe “will not allow itself to be blackmailed” into joining the United States and Israel military campaign in the Middle East.
Iran is reportedly allowing some ships to travel through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping chokepoint to access the resource-rich Persian Gulf.
The institution cancelled all in-person exams on Monday, and the students' union called off events and shut down venues in response to the outbreak.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines announced a 'complete disconnection' of the country’s fuel-powered electrical system, plunging nearly 11 million people into darkness.
Abbas Omidi is one of 32 'senior officials' of Iran’s regime located in Canada.
About a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage of water between Iran and Oman.
Canada finished eighth in the gold-medal standings with just three. As for total medals, Canada placed sixth, with four silver and eight bronze.
Canada produced on average 5.3 million barrels per day of crude oil in 2025, according to the Canada Energy Regulator, making the upcoming production jump a 2.6 per cent increase.
Iran's foreign minister said the U.S. attacked Kharg and Abu Musa islands from locations in the United Arab Emirates, a claim the UAE rejected.
Citing "a more contested environment", British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Irish counterpart Micheal Martin said the exercises would begin in September.
Only one in four (23 per cent) Canadians approve while, 16 per cent are unsure either way. Forty-two per cent were found to strongly disapprove.
Countries around the world are grappling with skyrocketing costs for key commodities like oil and fertilizer as the war with Iran continues to upend global trade.
The U.S. Central Command said the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace,” and that the other plane landed safely.
Water treatment centres in the Persian Gulf region are under threat amid the Iran war, with desalination plants in areas like Bahrain taking damage from strikes.