Czech politicians back strikes against Iranian regime, analysts warn of possible economic impact
Czech government and opposition politicians have backed the strikes against the Iranian regime as “fully justified” and “understandable”. The authorities said their top priority now is ensuring the safety of Czech diplomats and tourists in the region.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) said in response to the operation that the Czech Republic stands with its allies, describing Iran’s unchecked nuclear program and support for terrorism as “a threat to both the Czech Republic and Europe”.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East. At this moment, our highest priority is ensuring the safety of our citizens in the Middle East,” Babiš wrote. He said he believed stability and peace would soon return to the region and condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Qatar, Kuwait and four other Arab countries as “an unacceptable violation of their sovereignty”.
The Foreign Ministry likewise issued a statement backing the strikes, saying that the military operation launched by the United States and Israel reflects longstanding concerns regarding the policies and actions of the Iranian regime.
“Iran supports and finances a number of terrorist and armed groups, thereby contributing to instability in the Middle East and threatening international security. In this context, the Czech Republic strongly condemns the Iranian missile attacks against states in the region and expresses its deep concern over any actions that violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Gulf countries and further escalate tensions across the Middle East. Such actions are unacceptable and undermine regional stability and international security,” the Foreign Ministry statement says.
Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said the ministry has long warned against travel to the region and, in recent weeks and days, has strongly urged Czech citizens still there to leave without delay.
At present, several thousand Czech citizens are registered in the ministry’s voluntary travel database DROZD as being in the region. Minister Macinka said the ministry is in contact with all Czech embassies in the Middle East, including the Embassy in Tehran and is planning repatriation flights for those who want to come home as soon as possible, but the situation is complicated by the closure of airspace in many countries.
He said the ministry expects a larger-scale operation that may last for several weeks and appealed to Czech citizens to respect the travel warning issued. In addition to Iran and Israel, the warning now also applies to planned travel to Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
President Petr Pavel said the Czech Republic has long condemned the actions of the Iranian regime, including human rights violations, support for terrorism and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He added that it is too early to assess the consequences of the US-Israeli strike and expressed hope that further escalation can be avoided. “Our immediate priority is to ensure the safety of all Czech citizens and diplomats. I thank everyone involved in this effort during these challenging times,” the president said.
The Czech Interior Ministry has said it is closely monitoring the situation and evaluating all available information. None currently indicates any direct threat to the Czech Republic, but preventive measures have been taken and security has been tightened around Israeli and American institutions, the ministry said.
Opposition politicians have also expressed support for the military strikes on Iran.
Civic Democratic Party leader Martin Kupka said that if the Israeli and US strikes contribute to the fall of the Iranian regime, it would benefit both the Iranian population and the international community.
Former prime minister Petr Fiala (Civic Democrats) expressed the hope that the strikes would lead to the fall of Ayatollah Khamenei’s government and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Marek Ženíšek, deputy leader of TOP 09, said political change in Tehran would be “an ideal outcome”.
Pirate party leader Zdeněk Hřib said efforts to stop Iran’s nuclear program are justified, but criticised the United States for resorting to action in breach of international law. He said the Czech Republic should coordinate its steps with NATO and the EU, uphold international law and at the same time be ready to protect its citizens.
Meanwhile analysts warn that the conflict could affect not only air and maritime transport, but also oil prices and global trade.
Analysts contacted by the Czech News Agency said oil prices could temporarily rise by dozens of dollars to more than 100 dollars per barrel. Any closure or restriction of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman would significantly curb trade between Europe and Asia. Higher oil prices would in turn drive up the cost of fuel, goods and food supplies, they say.
