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Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken told Euronews\u2019 flagship morning show Europe Today that while Brussels has concerns regarding the legality of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, which have triggered a wider conflict in the Middle East, the overall cause can be defended.<\/p>\n
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“I think that when you see international law and the interpretation over the last few decades, that [the attacks] can be [seen as] problematic,” the minister said.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that he understands the ongoing discussions around concerns over the legality of the US and Iran launching a coordinated joint attack on various sites in Iran on 28 February.<\/p>\n
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez initially was the sole EU leader directly challenging <\/a>the US and Israeli strikes, warning that they could heighten regional tensions and “contribute to a more uncertain and hostile international order”.<\/p>\n He doubled down on his stance on the war on Wednesday<\/a> after President Trump announced that he would block trade with Spain due to Madrid’s reluctance to back the US offensive against Iran or allow the US use of the Rota and Mor\u00f3n bases.<\/p>\n On Tuesday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron joined S\u00e1nchez in challenging the legality of the attacks, saying they were conducted “outside of international law” and that Paris “cannot approve of them”.<\/p>\n However, the Belgian defence minister said the attacks can be defended, and that the end justifies the means.<\/p>\n “It’s a righteous cause to try to decapitate the Ayatollah regime, that’s something totally rightful,” Francken told Euronews.<\/p>\n “I cannot support [this] regime. Not for a second. It is the cruellest regime in the world. They’re supporting Hamas, they’re supporting and financing Hezbollah and Houthis and all those terrorist actors in the Middle East, but also in Europe, also here in Brussels, also in Belgium.”<\/p>\n Offering defence support<\/p>\n Francken also confirmed that the Belgian Defence Ministry is not only preparing for repatriations, but also to provide military support in the conflict region.<\/p>\n “These will be defensive actions,” he explained. “So, for example, a country like Jordan, asking for aid, then we can help them to protect their territory.”<\/p>\n Francken emphasised that Belgium would not get actively involved in the conflict.<\/p>\n “It’s not to start a war […] or to participate with Israel and the United States. It’s more to help people and countries in the Middle East,” he said.<\/p>\n