Europe Urges Restraint While Everyone Else Cruises Toward Apocalypse
KEY POINTS
- â˘On February 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, escalating existing tensions over its nuclear program.
- â˘European leaders like Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron urged restraint and diplomacy to prevent further conflict.
- â˘Russia condemned the strikes as unprovoked aggression, while China expressed concern and posted critical caricatures on social media.
On February 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, prompting a global choir of outrage and double-takes worthy of a fault-line drama series. Ursula von der Leyen cheerfully reminded the world to 'exercise maximum restraint' as if Iranâs nuclear program werenât already the worldâs worst-kept secret. Meanwhile, Macron called this 'outbreak of war' a very bad idea, suggesting an urgent UN meeting to stop the escalating fireworks. Canadaâs Mark Carney pivoted from Trump criticism to calling Iran a 'principal source of instability,' while Aussie PM Albanese professed solidarity with oppressed Iranians â probably muttering about Malcolm Turnbullâs sweater vests in comparison. Saudi Arabia demanded international firmness, Russia labeled the attacks a 'preplanned act of aggression,' and Chinaâs state media shared a caricature of Uncle Sam endlessly mumbling 'Hegemonism is the only language I know.' Trump, ever on-brand, blamed 'mass terror' since the 1979 revolution and vowed, 'We're not gonna put up with it any longer.' Meanwhile, Omani mediator Badr al-Busaidi threw a sad face emoji on active negotiations, telling the U.S. 'This is not your war,' like a parent watching their kid crash another remote-control car into the neighbor's window.
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Source: Axios | Published: 2/28/2026 | Author: Lauren Floyd