Iran
The death of Jina Mahsa Amini sparked the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, which the regime continues to confront with brutal repression. On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of her death, I said in my plenary speech in the European Parliament: This generation has changed Iran and we must not forget those who continue to fight for freedom.
The United States and Iran have agreed on a framework for further negotiations. But this is no time for euphoria. Europe must consistently defend international law and keep up the pressure on the Iranian regime.
While the world debates Iran’s nuclear programme, missiles, and the Strait of Hormuz, millions of people in Iran are facing repression, executions, and isolation. We have to put the people of Iran back at the centre of Europe’s Iran policy.
How do the Gulf states view the war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States? What impact does the escalation have on security, the global economy, and international shipping routes? As part of an ad hoc mission of the European Parliament, I travelled to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to express solidarity and discuss closer cooperation between the EU and the Gulf states.
During plenary this week, I addressed Europe’s approach to the Iranian regime. We cannot allow Iran to blackmail us via the Strait of Hormuz. Human rights must be central to any negotiations.
In the Committee on Foreign Affairs with representatives of the Iranian opposition to discuss the situation in Iran and made clear: negotiations must put the people of Iran at the center.
While the world watches rockets and memes, the Iranian regime is killing its citizens in the shadow of war. It is our responsibility to make this visible.
People in Iran hope for the end of the regime—while at the same time fearing even greater repression as a result of the war. As the US, Israel, and Iran continue to escalate militarily, Europe must take a clear stand for de-escalation, international law, and support for Iranian civil society.
My assessment of the latest developments involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The regime in Iran systematically and brutally suppresses any form of dissent. In the European Parliament, we once again debated the situation in Iran during plenary and adopted a resolution. We must decisively increase pressure on the regime and provide meaningful support to the people of Iran.
After years of blockades in the Council, we have finally succeeded: the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are on the EU terrorist list. What this means:
The Iranian regime is responding to nationwide protests with extreme violence. As Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the People of Iran, I invited Professor Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, Fariba Baloch, and Sardar Pashaei to discuss the situation in the country and what the EU can do.