EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has become a global laughing stock for announcing a security meeting to address the conflict in Iran “on Monday”.
In a post on X made just before 4pm local time on Saturday, Ms von der Leyen responded to the joint Israeli-US attack on Iran that killed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by writing: “Following the ongoing situation in Iran, I am convening a special Security College on Monday.
“For regional security and stability, it is of the utmost importance that there is no further escalation through Iran’s unjustified attacks on partners in the region.”
The statement soon attracted thousands of critical comments mocking the decision to wait until a working day to convene the meeting, and making fun of EU over-regulation.
Following the ongoing situation in Iran, I am convening a special Security College on Monday.
For regional security and stability, it is of the utmost importance that there is no further escalation through Iran’s unjustified attacks on partners in the region.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 28, 2026
World War 3 happening live
Europeans: “The war starts on Monday” pic.twitter.com/ZjwFNpYSiv
— Denys Khomyn (@denys_khomyn) February 28, 2026
— SpacBobby (@SpacBobby) February 28, 2026
*ww3 breaks out on a saturday*
european bureaucrats: pic.twitter.com/WnvZ6qu6Td
— ai waifu (@waif0000) February 28, 2026
“The EU must prepare a 12 points white paper to ensure current war is fought in compliance with ESG, GDPR, Digital Services Act (DSA), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), EU Migration and Asylum Pact and all green initiatives. If not, new regulation on all future wars fought will be adopted,” read one popular response.
“Europe has convened a special Security College. Right after brunch. Nothing says urgent de-escalation like see you in forty eight hours,” said another.
“Everything you need to know about European strategic irrelevance in one tweet. Europe’s contribution is a meeting on Monday. This is an institution that needs 48 hours and a special college to produce a statement that will say absolutely nothing,” said a third comment with thousands of likes.
Several others posted photos of dead celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain sitting at a café with a cup of coffee, a baguette and a pack of cigarettes with captions like “World War 3 happening live. Europeans: ‘The war starts on Monday'”.
Ms von der Leyen made two more posts hours later condemning Iran’s strikes on the United Arab Emirates and saying the EU was “committed to continue working closely with all our regional partners to safeguard regional stability and security and protect civilian lives”.
“I strongly support the Iranian people’s right to determine their own future.”
In his latest statement on Truth Social US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran “with a force that has never been seen before” if it continues with retaliatory strikes on US military bases.
Header image: Ursula von der Leyen with Israeli President Isaac Herzog (Government Press Office of Israel).
