After Emergency Meeting in Brussels; EU Initiates Expansion of Sanctions Against the Islamic Republic

The European Union's foreign policy chief stated on Tuesday following an emergency video conference of EU foreign ministers that this European bloc is considering expanding sanctions against the Islamic Republic in response to Tehran's attack on Israel. According to Reuters, Josep Borrell referenced comments by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, stating that the Middle East is 'on the brink' following the Islamic Republic's missile and drone attack on Israel on Saturday night. He told reporters at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium: 'Today, the EU foreign ministers took a strong stance and urged all regional actors to step back from the brink to avoid falling into it.' The EU's high representative for foreign affairs further warned that if any developments in the current crisis are accompanied by increased tensions, the Middle East could plunge into a 'full-scale war.' During today's meeting, foreign ministers from several EU member states proposed expanding sanctions against the Islamic Republic; new sanctions that would limit the supply of drones to Russia and the provision of weapons to its proxies. Germany, France, and several other EU members have openly supported such a proposal, and it has been agreed that the EU foreign ministers will discuss it in their meeting on Monday in Luxembourg. According to Borrell, some EU members raised the issue of sanctioning the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), but he reiterated the previous position that the IRGC can only be designated as a terrorist organization and sanctioned if a national authority in the EU states that this entity has engaged in 'terrorist activities.' The EU foreign policy chief clarified that the bloc is not aware of 'such a thing,' but has asked the EU's diplomatic apparatus to review the matter again. Josep Borrell also told reporters that all foreign ministers from the 27 EU member states condemned the recent air attack by the Islamic Republic on Israel and emphasized their commitment to Israel's security. The unprecedented attacks by the Islamic Republic on Israel, which began on Saturday night and continued until Sunday morning, faced a wave of global condemnation, and besides the UK, France, and Germany, leaders from many other countries have called for accountability from the Iranian government while emphasizing the need to reduce tensions. The German Foreign Minister is going to Israel to prevent escalation of tensions. Portugal protested against the attack on Israel and the seizure of a commercial ship; the Iranian ambassador in Lisbon was summoned. The UN Secretary-General at the emergency Security Council meeting stated: 'Now is the time for de-escalation and maximum restraint.' The Senate Foreign Relations Committee supports dual bills against the Islamic Republic; end Iran's terrorism. The US: Potential retaliatory attack by Israel and its consequences are concerning. The US Treasury Secretary: We will use sanctions to disrupt the destabilizing activities of the Iranian government.