A spiralling conflict has erupted in the Middle East, risking major regional spill-over and dragging in European Union countries.

Was the EU right to refrain from criticising the initial attack on Iran? Are EU nations now inevitably being dragged into war? And what are the implications for Europe's economy, security, and stability?

MEPs Hana Jalloul and Reinhold Lopatka go head to head to debate the escalating conflict in the Middle East, and its implications for the European Union.

Jalloul, who hails from the socialist party of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, argues that Spain was right to question the legality of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. She also calls out the brutality of the Iranian regime and backs the Iranian people's struggle to re-claim their freedom.

While Lopatka, from the centre-right EPP group, agrees that the legality of the strikes is questionable, he argues that the intervention is "justified" as the US aims to constrain Iran's nuclear capacities and support for its proxies, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.

The Ring is Euronews’ weekly political showdown, where Europe’s toughest debates meet their boldest voices.

In each episode, two political heavyweights from across the EU face off to propose a diversity of opinions and spark conversations around the most important issues of EU affairs and the wider European political life.

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