The leaders of European Union, EU on Wednesday decided to step up sanctions against Iran after Tehran’s missile and drone attack on Israel.
Recall that Iran had deployed drones and missile attacks on Israel on April 14. The action had left world powers scrambling to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.
According to Reuter, the summit in Brussels is the first meeting of the EU’s 27 national leaders since Saturday’s attack. The meeting of the leaders is also coming more than six months into the war between Israel and Hamas.
Though the EU leaders has condemned the Iranian missiles attack, Israel has signaled it will retaliate but has not said how. EU leaders have also reaffirmed their commitment to Israel’s security and called on all sides to prevent more tensions, including in Lebanon.
“We feel it’s very important to do everything to isolate Iran,” said summit Chairman, Charles Michel. He added the new sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran would target companies involved in the production of drones and missiles.
Speaking in condemnation of the Iranian attack, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it was important that Israel “does not respond with a massive attack of its own.”
Italian spokesman who spoke ahead of G7 talks in favour of sanctions against arms suppliers linked to the attack against Israel. He also called for sanctions against those behind attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
Recall that Iran launched its assault in response to an April 1 strike on its embassy in Damascus, which it blamed on Israel. Tel Aviv started its broader military offensive in Gaza after Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
According to Reuters, EU Foreign Ministers are due to continue the sanctions work on Monday. This is even as the United States and its Western allies hope new steps against Iran will help limit any Israeli retaliation.
Reuters reported that the EU already has multiple programmes that target Iran for human rights abuses. They are also accused Iran of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and Tehran’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“Germany, France and several EU States are looking at expanding a scheme that seeks to curb the supply of Iranian drones to Russia to include the provision of missiles and cover deliveries to Iranian proxies in the Middle East.
“Belgium backed introducing sanctions against Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps but Scholz said that required further legal checks. The bloc’s top diplomat has said that could only happen if a national authority in the EU found that the group had been involved in terrorist activity.
However, analysts say Iran is unlikely to face more severe economic punishment because of worries about boosting oil prices and angering top buyer China.
source: Reuters
