Europe’s far right is lost in Trump’s war against Iran
Europe’s far right is lost in Trump’s war against Iran
The conflict ignited by U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran’s leadership has left European far-right groups in disarray. With the war escalating in response to Iran’s top leadership being targeted, nationalist factions across the continent now face a dilemma: aligning with the U.S. and Israel’s aggressive stance or tempering their support for Donald Trump with concerns over the fallout for European citizens.
Among the most conflicted is Hungary’s Fidesz party. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has previously lauded Trump as a “peacemaker” for his role in the Gaza conflict, remained silent on the Iranian attacks. His party’s reluctance to condemn or endorse the strikes highlights a broader struggle within the far right to reconcile their backing for Trump with the potential economic and social consequences of the war.
“The renewed destabilisation of the Middle East is not in Germany’s interest and must be brought to an end,” stated Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. AfD MEP Tomasz Fröhlich added, “A further collapse of Iran would be catastrophic, unleashing massive migration waves, severe energy price shocks, and a cascade of other collateral damage that would inevitably burden our own population.”
Italy’s League party also shows hesitation. Leader Matteo Salvini, who has consistently praised Trump for his “diplomatic approach,” faces internal debate over the use of U.S. bases on Italian soil to launch attacks on Iran. Paolo Borchia, the League’s European Parliament delegate, acknowledged the issue’s delicacy, emphasizing the party’s preference for diplomatic solutions despite its pro-Israel and anti-Islamic leanings.
Czechia’s ANO party mirrors similar uncertainty. Internal discussions reveal a tension between supporting Trump and avoiding blind allegiance to the U.S. and Israel, particularly as energy costs remain a pressing domestic issue. Meanwhile, the French National Rally (RN) has taken a firmer stance, questioning U.S. actions in Venezuela and aligning with President Emmanuel Macron’s critique of interventions conducted “outside the framework of international law.”
RN MEP Pierre-Romain Thionnet told Euronews, “It should be up to the Iranian people to change the government, take power, and ensure a transition. A change imposed from the outside – especially through air bombings alone – has no historical example of success.”
Despite this, some far-right groups remain more openly aligned with Trump. Spain’s Vox, the Netherlands’ Freedom Party, and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK have adapted their messages to suit domestic audiences, embracing the U.S. strategy without reservation. This divergence has made it challenging for European Parliament far-right factions to agree on a unified position, with even groups like Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations allowing internal debates to shape their approach.
As the war against Iran continues, its impact on the European far right is becoming clearer. The debate underscores how ideological unity is now strained by the need to balance support for Trump with practical concerns over energy, migration, and regional stability.
