Von der Leyen singles out Iran: ‘Principal source of regional instability’

Brussels – No longer just China and Russia. The European Union publicly added Iran to its list of adversaries. The President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, included the Islamic Republic in the column of hostile nations, continuing the exercise she began by presenting the White Paper on Defense that officially identified Beijing and Moscow as possible enemies. Now, in the setting of the Canadian G7 in Kananaskis, ‘frau’ von der Leyen points the finger at the ayatollahs.

“Iran is the principal source of regional instability,” the president of the European Commission, who faced with Israel’s missile attacks against a sovereign state, an event traditionally recognized as an act of war, goes along with Netanyahu’s line and states that “Israel has the right to defend itself.”

The EU seems to have lost its way on values, but the European Union still needs the US and attempts to keep them close, even through dangerous alliances in an anti-anyone key. Of course, von der Leyen insists on the need for peace and, in that sense, reiterates that Europe remains “committed to finding a lasting solution through a negotiated deal” with Iran as “a diplomatic solution remains the best way in the long run to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.” Von der Leyen does not say — or does not remember — that the renunciation by the president of the United States in 2018, Donald Trump – then in his first term – undermined these efforts, leaving Europe with the delicate task of saving a deal called into question. In doing so, Trump distanced Tehran from the West and revealed the White House occupant for what he was and continues to be: an interlocutor who likes to rewrite the rules of the game himself and, therefore, someone Europe cannot trust.

The EU arrives at the G7 aware that the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East are not isolated phenomena but rather interconnected. There is concern for Tehran’s support for Moscow, with drones and especially missiles. A senior European official acknowledges that when it comes to Iran, “we are not only concerned about the nuclear program but also about the proliferation of ballistic missiles, which can be a problem for our security.”  Von der Leyen reiterated this from Canada: “We have voiced our strong concerns over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.” Today, the German still denounces, “The same type of Iranian-designed and made drones and ballistic missiles are indiscriminately hitting cities in Ukraine and Israel.” This is why Iran is not a friendly country.

China and Russia, accusations and sanctions

Von der Leyen tells the G7 partners, starting with the desperately needed United States. Will Trump be able to listen? She tries, winking and trying to unite the group against the “others”: “All G7 countries are facing aggressive trade practices from non-market economies.” Veiled accusations against China, glossing over US tariffs.

To Trump and G7 partners, von der Leyen then calls for unity in the response against Moscow and its ‘czar’ Vladimir Putin: “We must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table, and to end this war.” In this context, “sanctions are critical.” The president of the EU executive assures that “they are working,” and as proof, she recalls that “Russian oil and gas revenues have fallen by almost 80 percent since the start of the war.” The EU is working on the 18th sanctions package. “I will invite all G7 partners to join us in this endeavor,” von der Leyen concluded.