Closing the Strait of Hormuz by Iran "would be extremely dangerous," warned top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas.

"The concerns about retaliatory measures and escalation of the war are huge," Kaja Kallas told reporters during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, where the conflict between Iran and Israel was among the main topics.

"In particular, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is something that would be extremely dangerous and not good for anyone," she warned, quoted by AFP.

Analysts said Iran could decide to retaliate against Washington by closing the strait, through which a fifth of the world's oil production passes.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on China to help deter Iran from closing the trade route.

The European Union has called for de-escalation since the US joined Israel's war with Iran by striking nuclear sites in the country.

"Ministers are strongly focused on a diplomatic solution," Callas said after calling on all sides over the weekend to "step back" and return to negotiations.

The EU's foreign policy chief, who joined diplomats from France, Germany, and the UK for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on June 20, stressed that European efforts would continue.

"There must be a diplomatic solution. When Iran is ready to talk to us, I think we should seize that opportunity," she said.

On June 22, France, Germany, and the UK jointly called on Tehran "not to take any further actions that could destabilize the region."

In Brussels, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stressed that Europe could use its long experience in negotiations with Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

"There is no lasting military solution to this problem. Only negotiations can allow us to impose long-term restrictions on Iran's nuclear program. Europe can use its experience, expertise, and in-depth knowledge of these issues to open up space for negotiations," he said.

"We reject any attempt to change the regime by force," Barroso added, warning that it would be "illusory and dangerous" to think that such a change could be achieved with "bombs." | BGNES