The caretaker Dutch government has refused to be drawn on whether it supports the American decision to bomb nuclear installations in Iran, but said it is “of the greatest importance” that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.

Speaking after an emergency meeting of the Dutch National Security Council on Sunday, prime minister Dick Schoof urged Iran to return to the negotiating table.

“Iran must never become a nuclear weapons state. We note that Israel and the US do not accept the nuclear threat posed by Iran,” Schoof said in a statement. “The Netherlands calls on Iran to return to the negotiating table without delay, as negotiations are the only path to a lasting solution. De-escalation is of the utmost importance for stability in the region.”

But when asked if the cabinet supported the US bombing, Schoof declined to comment, saying instead “I am not going to make any statements about whether this breaches international law.”

Schoof also said he expected Donald Trump to attend the Nato summit in The Hague this week. “I presume so because I have not had any messages to the contrary,” he said.

Caretaker defence minister Ruben Brekelmans told television programme WNL op Zondag that he was not surprised by US president Donald Trump’s decision to bomb Iran.

“We were not formally informed, but had indications via our sources that it would happen,” he said. He also said he understood why the bombings had been carried out, and that Iran’s nuclear threat to Israel is too great to ignore.

“It cannot be that Israel constantly does the dirty work. Ultimately, agreements must be reached with Iran to halt their nuclear programme,” Brekelmans said.

Opposition parties have said they are extremely concerned by the US attack. GroenLinks–PvdA leader Frans Timmermans labelled it “a reckless act” on social media. Socialist Party leader Jimmy van Dijk described it as “yet another illegal American war”.

D66 MP Jan Paternotte urged the European Union to decide on trade sanctions against Israel on Monday, despite the escalation with Iran. “Don’t let that decision be overshadowed by the attack,” he said on social media.

However, coalition parties VVD and NSC both said they supported the US action. VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz said the Iranian nuclear programme is an “existential threat for Israel and the rest of the free world.”

Easier to start a war

The NRC said in an editorial that it is always easier to start a war than end one, and that this is something Trump should have learned, considering the US intervention in Iraq 20 years ago.

“Trump made a point during his election campaign of putting ‘America first’, and this also meant a downturn in military activity,” the paper said. “On Saturday night he broke his promise and his country is now embroiled in a new, dangerous conflict.”

The Volkskrant said in an analysis that Trump had taken an immense risk, and pointed out the attack had been launched without the approval of the American congress. “Everything points to the president not being keen on a long war with Iran,” the paper said. “But that is very well what he might end up with.”