The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States have jointly condemned in the strongest terms Iran’s use of violent attacks, including the acts of lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and other hybrid activities against us and our partners. The statement, released on October 12, 2026, follows a series of escalating incidents attributed to Iran, and the statement does not mention the specific location of the attacks. It is linked to

Context
The joint statement represents a hardening of international resolve regarding Iran’s actions. The inclusion of so many nations – 28 – signals a broadening recognition that Iran’s activities constitute a deliberate and sustained campaign of destabilization. The statement does not address the specific nature of the attacks detailed within it, nor does it provide any concrete evidence of Iranian involvement. However, the explicit condemnation of “hybrid activities” – a term increasingly employed to describe a range of covert operations – suggests a strategic shift in how Western governments are framing the threat posed by Iran. The statement reflects a broader trend toward a more proactive and assertive approach to countering what governments perceive as Iranian attempts to undermine allied security. This suggests a desire to demonstrate unity and deter further escalation. The statement does not mention any specific countermeasures being considered or implemented by the participating nations.


