Iran’s foreign ministry made a strong accusation against the European Union on Thursday, alleging its involvement in the ongoing conflict instigated by the United States and Israel. The ministry’s spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, articulated these claims through a post on social media platform X, asserting that the EU’s indifference and compliance in the face of what he termed U.S. and Israeli aggression constitutes, “nothing less than complicity.” He emphasized that “the world is watching.”
Support for Claims from European Parliament
To bolster his argument, Baqaei shared a video featuring Belgian lawmaker Marc Botenga, a member of the left-wing party, who addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday. During his speech, Botenga remarked, “Most of you don’t condemn, you even support Trump’s and Netanyahu’s war on Iran … Your bombs never brought democracy and never will.” Botenga has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding his statements.
Divergent EU Responses to the Conflict
The European Union has displayed a range of responses to the Middle East conflict. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated a lack of sympathy for Iran’s regime, stating that “there should be no tears shed” over its potential downfall. In contrast, European Council President António Costa cautioned that the military actions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could exacerbate instability throughout the region.
Among European nations, Spain stands out as a vocal critic of the military strategies being employed, contrasting with the more measured stances of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
Baqaei’s comments followed a warning from Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who cautioned that assaults on Iranian territories would lead to severe consequences, stating that such actions would “shatter all restraint.” He further declared, “The blood of American soldiers is Trump’s personal responsibility.”