The backlash emerged after Ms von der Leyen announced the Security College gathering on X, emphasising that preventing further escalation through what she termed Iran’s “unjustified attacks on partners in the region” was of paramount importance.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the situation as “perilous” on social media, whilst European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called for restraint.

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Brussels had already shifted into crisis mode over the weekend, with EU ambassadors gathering on Saturday and representatives from all 27 member states holding emergency discussions on Sunday.

In an X update published on Saturday afternoon, Ms von der Leyen penned: “Following the ongoing situation in Iran, I am convening a special Security College on Monday.

“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.”

The People’s Channel’s Patrick was one of several unimpressed social media users.

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The Patrick Christys Tonight star brutally replied: “Bit of alpine skiing, some fondue and a bottle of red, then we’ll crack on with World War 3. The EU is totally f****** useless.”

He wasn’t alone, as GB News contributor Benjamin Butterworth was similarly gobsmacked by the response from the EU President.

He mocked: “‘Dear Iranian people, Would love to help, but we’re doing fondue with Agnetha tonight. And the shops don’t open on a Sunday, so why should I? Disregards, Ursula’.”

Former This Morning star Emma Kenny similarly ridiculed the lack of action. “Are you going to send them a strongly worded email?” she asked.

Bit of alpine skiing, some fondue and a bottle of red, then we’ll crack on with World War 3. The EU is totally f****** useless. https://t.co/Um3FJEfMv4

— Patrick Christys (@PatrickChristys) February 28, 2026

Over 24 hours on from the initial strikes, it was announced that Iranian missiles and drones came perilously close to British military personnel stationed in the Gulf, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed.

The attacks landed within a few hundred yards of approximately 300 UK troops based in Bahrain, Mr Healey confirmed.

Simultaneously, two missiles were launched towards Cyprus, where thousands of British service members are deployed at the sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.

These installations cover roughly three per cent of the island and represent crucial strategic assets in the eastern Mediterranean.

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Mr Healey warned that Iran was now “lashing out in an increasingly indiscriminate and widespread way,” highlighting strikes on a Kuwaiti airport and hotels in both Dubai and Bahrain.

The Defence Secretary stated that “few people will mourn” Khamenei’s death, describing the Iranian regime as “a source of evil, murdering its own citizens and sponsoring and exporting terror, including to countries like Britain.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has pledged to unleash its “most intensive” attacks yet against Israel and the United States following the death of its Supreme Leader.

In a statement, the elite military force declared it had lost “a great leader” who was “unique in terms of purity of spirit, strength of faith, resourcefulness in affairs, courage in the face of the arrogant, and jihad in the path of God.”

‘Dear Iranian people,

Would love to help, but we’re doing fondue with Agnetha tonight. And the shops don’t open on a Sunday, so why should I?

Disregards,
Ursula’

— Benjamin Butterworth (@benjaminbutter) February 28, 2026

The IRGC has also moved to block one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes, with vessels receiving radio warnings that they are no longer permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

An official from the EU’s naval mission Aspides confirmed ships had been sent VHF messages stating “no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz.”

The waterway handles approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption daily, connecting major petroleum-producing nations to international markets.

The crisis has exposed deep divisions among European governments over how to respond to the US-Israeli military action.

France, Germany and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement emphasising they “did not participate in these strikes,” whilst simultaneously condemning Iranian counterattacks and urging Tehran to pursue a “negotiated solution.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer maintained that Britain had “played no role” in the operation, though he noted British aircraft were airborne as part of coordinated regional defence efforts.

He condemned Iran’s “abhorrent” regime whilst acknowledging Washington’s “primary aim” was preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez took a harder line against the Western allies, denouncing the US-Israeli operation as “unilateral military action” that risks fostering a more hostile global order.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš offered a contrasting view, declaring Prague “stands by our allies” and warning that Iran’s nuclear ambitions and “support for terrorism” threaten European security.