Romania and the threat of the war in Iran
According to Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu, there are no direct threats to Romania from Iran, and Romanians can continue to feel safe
Roxana Vasile, 19.03.2026, 14:00
The conflict in the Middle East is by far the dominant issue on the political agenda of leaders across much of the world, who are concerned not only about the military hostilities in the region but also about their economic repercussions. On Romania’s part, following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Nicuşor Dan is scheduled to attend this weekend the European Council meeting and the Euro Summit in expanded format, which will focus, among other things, on ways in which the European Union can contribute to reducing tensions and stabilizing the situation in the Middle East. Other key topics of discussion include the conflict’s impact on the global economy, inflation, energy prices, and trade flows, as well as the need to protect European citizens, including Romanians, in the region.
Meanwhile, in Bucharest, Foreign Minister Oana Ţoiu stated that Romania’s ambassador to Tehran had been recalled following the escalation of the conflict, but that diplomatic staff remain in Iran to assist Romanian citizens there. On the other hand, the foreign minister has reiterated that there are no direct threats to Romania from Iran and that Romanians can continue to feel safe at home. “The conversation that took place between the press and the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not include any mention of retaliation from a military perspective. He explicitly referred to political and legal consequences, which implies further discussions within the United Nations,” Oana Ţoiu stated.
Earlier this week, Tehran warned that Romania could face political and legal repercussions after allowing the United States to use bases on its territory for operations in the Middle East. Romania is not a party to the conflict there, for the de-escalation of which it has advocated from day one—noted the Romanian Foreign Ministry, which emphasized that the U.S. missile defense shield in Deveselu (south) was designed as a strictly defensive measure, and therefore the United States is legally entitled to use it. ‘In recent days, alongside the U.S., we have increased our defense capabilities. Since 2016, Romania has had a missile defense shield, alongside the United States, in Deveselu, and we will continue to provide access for non-kinetic equipment. (…) It is important that when we have strategic partnerships—and Romania and the U.S. have had a strategic partnership for a long time—when it comes to exclusively defensive capabilities, we make use of this,” Oana Țoiu added.
Defense Minister Radu Miruţă also stated that the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry had reportedly referred to legal and political reprisals, not military ones, regarding which the official in Bucharest said there had been no information whatsoever to date. (MI)
