Latvia Navigates US-Israel Actions in Middle East, Cites NATO Role

Riga – Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs addressed journalists on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, regarding the recent military actions undertaken by the United States and Israel in the Middle East, and Latvia’s potential involvement. He stated that Latvia had not received any invitations or requests to participate in the operations as reported by Latvian news outlet LSM.

Evaluating Potential Involvement

President Rinkēvičs emphasized that any potential invitation for Latvia to contribute to a military operation would be evaluated “responsibly and quickly,” in consultation with relevant ministries, the government, and the Saeima (Latvian parliament). He clarified that the final decision on deploying a military contingent rests with the Saeima.

Understanding the Context

Rinkēvičs articulated understanding for the actions taken by the US and Israel, citing concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program, its perceived threats to neighboring countries, and its support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He stressed the importance of discussing heightened rhetoric within established international frameworks like NATO, the European Union (EU), and US negotiations.

Interconnected Global Events

The President highlighted the interconnectedness of global events, asserting that both Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East require a comprehensive approach from Europe and the United States. He underscored the need for Europe to find ways to support its allies, even when facing difficult decisions, and acknowledged expectations for continued US involvement in resolving the Ukrainian issue.

NATO and EU Cooperation

Rinkēvičs advocated for increased cooperation within NATO and the EU, urging a focus on common ground rather than emphasizing differences.

Strait of Hormuz and International Concerns

The situation has led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport, causing a significant rise in oil prices. Former US President Donald Trump had warned of a “very bad future” for NATO if allies did not assist in unblocking the Strait as noted in Responsible Statecraft. However, Trump later stated that US military assistance was no longer needed in the conflict with Iran.

International Perspectives on the Strait of Hormuz

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer maintained that restoring free shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is not a NATO responsibility, advocating for a broader alliance involving Persian Gulf partners, European countries, and the United States. Germany, through a spokesperson for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stated that the conflict in the Middle East, triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, is not a NATO war as reported by PassBlue.

Latvia’s Position on Iran

Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has previously expressed strong opposition to Iran’s actions, stating that cooperation with the US and Israel against Iran was unacceptable according to a Facebook post by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

UN Security Council Response

The UN Security Council convened an emergency session on February 28, 2026, to address the situation, but fell short of fully condemning the US and Israeli actions. The European members of the Council – Britain, Denmark, France, Greece, and Latvia – did not issue an outright condemnation as detailed in PassBlue’s coverage.

Commitment to Peace and Security

Latvia, as a member of the UN Security Council, has emphasized the importance of achieving peace and security in the Middle East, supporting the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, endorsed by Security Council Resolution 2803 as stated in a press release from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.