America’s war on Iran has revealed much about its allies. Israel is as steadfast as ever, as secretary of war Pete Hegseth pointed out on Monday. Australia and Canada have also made clear their unequivocal support for the military action. 

Russia, for all its malevolence, does not have the means to stoke civil unrest in western Europe. The Islamic Republic of Iran does

Russia, for all its malevolence, does not have the means to stoke civil unrest in western Europe. The Islamic Republic of Iran does

In Europe, however, the response has been lacklustre. Hegseth regretted the faintheartedness of ‘traditional partners who wring their hands and clutch their pearls, humming and hawing about the use of force.’

Step forward Keir Starmer, who has ‘disappointed’ President Trump by his reluctance to throw Britain’s weight behind America. But Britain isn’t alone in the Old Continent, particularly in western Europe. Hours after the attacks began on Iran, Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, declared on X that ‘we reject the unilateral military action of the United States and Israel’. On Sunday Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, accused the Spanish government of ‘standing with Iran’. Spain’s foreign affairs minister, José Manuel Albares, called the claim ‘absurd and ridiculous’.

Europe’s instinctive reaction to America’s attack on Iran was one of apprehension. Emmanuel Macron fretted about ‘escalation’ and said, ‘diplomatic efforts must resume their rightful place.’........

© The Spectator