The European Union has announced new sanctions targeting Iran's drone and missile programs, citing Tehran's recent retaliatory strikes against Israel as justification. The decision was made public by European Council President Charles Michel during an EU summit in Brussels.
"We have decided to put in place sanctions against Iran, it is a clear signal that we wanted to send," Michel stated, adding that the sanctions aim to target companies involved in Iran's drone and missile programs.
The move comes in the wake of Iran's large-scale retaliatory operation against Israel, which involved firing over 300 missiles and drones at military sites in the occupied territories. This operation was launched in response to Israel's bombing of Iran's consular annex in Damascus, an attack that resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including seven military advisers from Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
Several European countries have faced criticism for their "irresponsible stance" regarding Iran's legitimate response to Israel's actions, with Iran summoning the ambassadors of Britain, France, and Germany to express its displeasure.
The EU's decision to impose sanctions on Iran aligns with the United States' sanctions policy against Tehran. Over the years, the EU has implemented multiple rounds of sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities, including asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions on making funds or economic resources available to those listed.
The European Union's decision to impose sanctions on Iran has been met with criticism, with many viewing the move as a continuation of the EU's alignment with U.S. sanctions policy against Iran. The sanctions come at a time when Iran exercised its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter in response to Israel's attack on its diplomatic premises in Syria.
The EU's sanctions have been described as "shameful" by critics, who argue that they undermine international efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and address the root causes of conflict. By imposing sanctions on Iran's drone and missile programs, the EU risks further exacerbating tensions and complicating diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
