Norway's foreign minister warns that wars in Iran and Ukraine expose limits of military power

During an interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al-Mandeb and the Black Sea as a major global concern, noting that the resulting trade disruptions raise shipping costs for all countries. He said the Iran war and the war in Ukraine illustrate how modern conflicts often fall short of decisive military victories, with precision missiles unable to achieve strategic goals.

Eide warned that continued fighting makes post-war rebuilding increasingly difficult and that any peace must be durable to avoid long-term instability. He also commented on the bleak situation in Gaza, where violence persists despite a nominal ceasefire, and warned that Israeli settler attacks in the West Bank undermine the prospects for a Palestinian state. While acknowledging strong international support for Palestinian statehood, he expressed doubt that upcoming Israeli elections will produce a government favorable to a two-state solution. Finally, Eide praised recent Syrian reforms and called for regional backing of Syria’s state-building efforts.