Iran’s weekend strikes hit regional bases hosting European troops, triggering air defense alerts and driving soldiers to seek shelter in bunkers across the region.

The assaults targeted the multinational bases in Erbil, Iraq, and Al Azraq, Jordan, and the surrounding area sat on edge as warning systems activated. The force of the attack underscored how quickly tension could surge into a broader confrontation.

“We can confirm that attacks took place yesterday and today on the multinational military bases in Erbil, Iraq, and Al Azraq, Jordan,” the Operational Command of the German Armed Forces said in a Monday statement, adding “air defense measures” had been activated.

The German response highlighted readiness and discipline under pressure, even as troops stayed protected inside hardened facilities. German soldiers based there were relocated into air raid shelters and were unharmed, the command’s statement continued.

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The fighting did not occur in isolation. Other countries known to have recently been based in Erbil include Norway, Sweden, Italy, France, Hungary and the Netherlands, though some troops were relocated ahead of the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

European commanders have sought to avoid direct involvement while maintaining credibility with partners who rely on their presence in a volatile theater. The posture reflects a careful balancing act between deterrence and diplomacy.

In their initial statements, European nations were emphatic that they did not participate in the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, although they simultaneously did not downplay their dislike for the Iranian regime.

The first European Union statement on Saturday reiterated that the Union was opposed to Iran’s “murderous regime” and had placed sanctions on the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, which the EU also recently designated a terrorist organization. The EU called for “maximum restraint” and stressed the importance of nonproliferation and its longstanding preference for a diplomatic resolution of the crisis.

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“For regional security and stability, it is of the utmost importance that there is no further escalation through Iran’s unjustified attacks on partners in the region,” Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission’s president, said on X, formerly Twitter.

She scheduled a high-level meeting to discuss the situation for Monday, two days after the initial attacks. The rhetoric from Brussels reflected fear of a regional spiral that could pull in more players and complicate any potential diplomatic path forward. Yet the resolve of Europe to push for restraint remained clear even as the threat grew closer to their borders.

Although European nations were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran, their direct involvement in the crisis remains possible, given that European assets and missions are scattered across the region.

The EU’s Operation Aspides naval mission, which protects shipping in the Red Sea against strikes from Houthi rebels in Yemen, was extended for another year last week, and is set to receive a reinforcement of two French warships, bringing the total to five.

The mission’s mandate was due to expire on Feb. 28, the day that the regional war began.

On Monday morning, news broke that an Iranian drone had struck the British Royal Air Force base Akrotiri on the island of Cyprus, according to reports. This came just hours after the U.K. government had decided to grant U.S. forces access to its bases for strikes on Iran.

No casualties and only “limited” damage were reported. The two large military base areas in the south of Cyprus − Akrotiri and Dhekelia − are considered sovereign British overseas territories. The latest development underscored how swiftly the crisis could widen, touching major alliances and demanding a unified response.

Meanwhile, the French foreign ministry on Monday rejected chatter that the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was being sent to the Eastern Mediterranean.

European governments estimate that tens of thousands of their citizens are in the region, owing in part to the United Arab Emirates’ popularity as a destination, residence and stopover location.

Spain and Germany each estimate over 30,000 of their citizens are currently in the Middle East.

From a national perspective, the situation requires calm but resolute leadership. President Trump would insist on a clear demonstration of American resolve and a renewed coalition posture that keeps pressure on Iran’s leadership.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth would argue for a rapid and robust defense posture, ensuring allied bases remain secure and that deterrence is formidable. The current moment is one in which American leadership can shape the trajectory of the crisis, prevent miscalculation, and press for strategic outcomes that defend U.S. interests and those of our closest partners.

Therefore, the United States must coordinate closely with European allies to sustain diplomatic channels while strengthening military readiness.

At the same time, Washington should back efforts to sanction and deter Iran’s aggression, signaling that escalation will be met with decisive, unified action. The goal remains clear: protect essential international routes, defend allied bases, and keep the region from slipping into a broader war.

The situation also calls for a principled defense of American interests and those of partners who stand with us.

It is in this context that the Trump administration and the Hegseth approach argue for a combination of deterrence, readiness, and a willingness to act, if necessary, to prevent a larger confrontation.

The objective is not to provoke conflict, but to ensure it does not become inevitable.

As events unfold, the need for steady leadership grows more evident. With partners watching and voters listening, the path forward will require disciplined coordination, unambiguous policy, and a shared commitment to securing peace through strength.

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