Gulf countries concerned about risk of Iran civil war, says EU's foreign chief

BRUSSELS, March 5 (Reuters) - Countries in the Middle East have told European officials they are concerned about the risk of civil war in Iran as a result of the conflict between Tehran and the United States and Israel, EU foreign chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday.

"When we talk to the countries in the region, they are also worried about civil wars inside ... the regime's leadership and what is going on there," she said ahead of a video conference with EU foreign ministers and representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council on the situation in Iran and the broader Middle East.

She also said the EU is "extremely worried" about maritime security in the region and that it is trying to keep routes such as the strait of Hormuz open.