Brussels

Leaders of the European Union are holding urgent discussions to tackle rising energy costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted key oil and gas supply routes.

The war has driven up prices of energy resources, with particular concern over instability around the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial global transit route for oil, gas, and fertilisers.

At a summit of 27 EU member states in Brussels, leaders are weighing measures to cushion the economic impact. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever warned that energy prices were already high before the conflict but have surged further due to the crisis, raising fears of long-term economic strain.

The European Commission has proposed a range of financial tools that member nations could use to stabilise prices, though officials acknowledge that no single solution is likely to offset the shock across diverse economies within the bloc.

European nations have also resisted calls from US President Donald Trump to deploy military assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead to focus on economic and diplomatic responses.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the conflict—linked to tensions involving Iran and Lebanon—as a serious concern but reiterated that Europe is not directly involved militarily. He called for stronger sanctions against Iran and greater support for opposition groups.

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With fears also mounting over a potential refugee crisis, the Middle East conflict has emerged as a top priority for EU leaders as they attempt to balance economic stability with geopolitical challenges.