“Iran is a threat not only to Israel, but also to the stability of the region,” stresses EU Council President Charles Michel.
The European Union will decide on further sanctions against Tehran after Iran's attack on Israel. An EU summit in Brussels condemned the Iranian attack and pledged “full solidarity” with Israel. According to a summit declaration adopted on Thursday night, the European Union will “take further restrictive measures against Iran, particularly regarding drones and missiles”. The summit called on all parties to exercise “extreme restraint”.
“Iran is a threat not only to Israel but also to the stability of the region,” said EU Council President Charles Michel. The European Union has already imposed various sanctions against Iran due to its actions. The EU summit did not formally decide on new sanctions. This is expected at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday. According to EU diplomats, “there is no objection”.
“The European Council strongly condemns the Iranian attack on Israel and reiterates its full solidarity with the Israeli people and its commitment to Israel's security and regional stability,” the latest draft conclusions said. Iran and its proxies (allies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or the Houthis in Yemen) are called upon to “cease all attacks, exercise strict restraint and avoid anything that could escalate tensions in the region.”
EU Heads of State and Government also addressed the situation in the Gaza Strip: the EU summit confirmed an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and continued work with its partners to “end the Gaza crisis”. Rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to affected Palestinian citizens. “The EU is committed to a lasting and stable peace based on a two-state solution,” it continued.
“Very committed to continuing to support Ukraine”
Ukraine was also a topic at the summit: Scholz called on his European partners to do more. As the Russian war of aggression continues, “we must do more.” This is especially true for air defense. Germany has already provided Patriot air defense systems and has promised another. His Dutch colleague Mark Rutte explained that Ukraine has two problems: ammunition and air defense.
The summit underlined the need to urgently equip Ukraine with air defense systems and increase military aid, including ammunition and missiles. The Council of the European Union and Member States should further pursue this. “It's not a question of months, it's a question of days and weeks,” Michael said. “We are very committed to continuing to support Ukraine.”
The summit also discussed the threat of Russia influencing European elections in June. European Parliament President Roberta Metzola said Russia's efforts to influence EU elections are no longer a “threat, but an opportunity”. The EU must be prepared to take action against Russian disinformation campaigns. Belgium and the Czech Republic have called for new sanctions against Moscow, and investigations into pro-Russian networks are ongoing in both countries. Michael said cooperation between EU institutions and national authorities should be strengthened. The summit “sends a clear signal that we are not naïve. We want to be more efficient in this area.
