In retaliation to Iran’s recent assault on Israel, the European Union is planning to propose an extension to sanctions targeting Iran’s drone and missile capacities. EU foreign ministers convened virtually on Tuesday to discuss bolstering the current sanctions on Iran. Following the conference, EU foreign chief, Josep Borrell, suggested additional sanctions, which could include measures to curb Iran’s provision of drones to its Middle Eastern proxies.
It was also suggested that existing sanctions related to Iran’s drone provisions to Russia for military purposes could be broadened to include a more extensive range of missiles. Some proposals within the meeting also included the introduction of sanctions on members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
The attack on Israel by Iran has been universally denounced by western leaders, including US president Joe Biden, with many also urging all parties to maintain restraint to prevent exacerbating the conflict. It was reported by the Israeli Defense Forces that an overwhelming 99% of the over 300 attempted attacks were counteracted by Israel’s extensive air defense system, assisted by the US and other partners.
The assault from Iran was in direct response to Israel’s bombing that targeted an Iranian diplomatic installation in Syria earlier this month. This has significantly escalated concerns about the potential expansion of Israel’s existing conflict in Gaza evolving into a wider regional conflict.
The unprecedented direct attack on Israel by Iran triggered an urgent meeting of the EU foreign ministers. Borrell characterised the assault as a significant escalation within the region. “We are essentially manoeuvring a geopolitical chess game. If each response in this back-and-forth results in gradual escalation, it could eventually culminate in a full-blown war,” he warned.
Austrian foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg expressed his support for the extension of EU sanctions against Iran during the meeting. He implored all regional actors to maintain calm, expressing on social media, “I urge them to contribute to de-escalation.”
Anticipated to be included in Wednesday’s opening day of the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels is a dialogue concerning Iran and Israel. The ongoing Gaza situation is something the leaders are expected to confer about, in addition to attempting to reach an accord over a document advocating restraint from both Iran and Israel. One official from the EU has hinted that it is probable that the summit could also converse about penalising Iran. Although, since these punitive talks are still in their initial phase, the official suggests that it’s unlikely a definite resolution will be reached during the summit.