We are closely monitoring the situation in Iran; we need to be prudent on the issue of regime change

"We are closely observing the military operations of Israel and the United States of America," said Prime Minister Plenković, referring to the situation in Iran.

He condemned the retaliating attacks carried out by Iran against the Gulf countries on targets which are not only military but also other and which are in no way involved in military operations.

Answering the question of whether the American-Israeli attacks on Iran are in accordance with international law, the Prime Minister said that the United States and Israel indicated at the meeting of the United Nations Security Council that peace negotiations on Iran's nuclear program had been exhausted, as well as that Israel perceives Iran and its nuclear program as an existential threat.

This was obviously the reason why the operation was undertaken, and in a way that it was not just basically destroying nuclear facilities or alleged nuclear facilities or military targets, but was clearly also aimed at regime change, he added.

Asked whether there was a unified position of the European Union on these operations, the Prime Minister said that all statements so far on this matter had been quite clear and unified, with one or two exceptions, and added that consultations would continue.

The lead was taken by the E3 group, which includes two European Union members, due to the fact that they were most involved in the negotiations with Iran, he added.

Asked whether he considered regime change justified at this point, the Prime Minister said that there had been a substantial change in circumstances over the weekend. He also added that we had seen very different reactions, some were mourning and some cheering.

Given the complexity, size and longevity of the current regime, it is very difficult to assess from the outside what the internal dynamics would be when it comes to potential regime change.

“I think we will have to be prudent for a while,” Plenković said.

Adriatic oil pipeline is reliable and has the capacity to be the primary pipeline for our neighbors

He also referred to the possibility of further oil supply to Hungary and Slovakia, after the supply via the Druzhba pipeline was interrupted.

The Prime Minister said that during his visit to Kiev last week, on the occasion of marking the fourth anniversary of the Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, he was clearly presented with evidence that the oil pipeline was hit and damaged in the Russian attacks on Ukraine.

During the entire war that Russia is waging against Ukraine, he pointed out, Croatia's position towards Hungary and Slovakia, repeated on multiple occasions before all European partners, European institutions and the European Commission, was that the Adriatic pipeline has full capacity to be the primary oil pipeline for our landlocked neighbors, partners and friends, and not as an alternative or secondary one.

He emphasized that Croatia can provide enough crude oil that would arrive in Omišalj and then be transported to a refinery in Hungary or to a refinery in Bratislava, in a quantity that would, if needed, cover the full capacity of those two refineries, which is 14 million tons per year. In addition, he added, it can provide nine million tons for Serbia for the refinery in Pančevo.

The Adriatic pipeline can be primary, it is reliable and has full capacity, said Prime Minister Plenković and added that, according to our estimation, it is three times cheaper than Družba in terms of transport fees.