France Calls for Expansion of Sanctions Against the Islamic Republic Concurrent with EU Leaders' Meeting

Leaders of EU member countries convened in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss increasing sanctions against the Islamic Republic in response to Tehran's recent direct airstrike on Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron stated before the meeting, "We must expand sanctions against the Islamic Republic. We support sanctions targeting all those involved in the production of drones and missiles used in last week's attacks." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also mentioned before recent G7 talks that "sanctions should be imposed on all entities that attack Israel with drones and missiles, as well as vessels in the Red Sea." This two-day meeting is the first gathering of leaders from the 27 EU member states following the Islamic Republic's attack on Israel on Saturday, which has prompted "immediate diplomatic efforts" to prevent the "escalation of war." While Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that this direct attack by the Islamic Republic will be retaliated against, the EU has expressed readiness to increase sanctions on Tehran while urging Israel to show restraint. According to a draft statement obtained by Reuters, EU leaders condemned the Islamic Republic's attack on Israel and simultaneously emphasized their commitment to Israel's security. The statement highlighted that the EU is prepared to take further restrictive measures against the Islamic Republic, particularly in the drone and missile industries, while calling on all parties to prevent further tensions, including in Lebanon. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, earlier on Wednesday referred to the policies of Tehran, Moscow, and Pyongyang, stating that the Islamic Republic's attack on Israel is the latest sign of an effort for a "new alliance of autocrats." According to Reuters, she stated at a defense and security conference in Brussels that this alliance aims to dismantle the rules-based international order and bring democracies to a breaking point. Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, following a video conference of the union's foreign ministers on Tuesday, said that the European bloc has the expansion of sanctions against the Islamic Republic on its agenda in response to Tehran's attack on Israel. He cited UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's remarks, stating that the Middle East is "on the brink" following the Islamic Republic's missile and drone attack on Israel on Saturday night. The White House announced on Tuesday that it is working with the G7 and other allies to design a comprehensive response to the Islamic Republic and announced new sanctions against Tehran's missile and drone programs, along with additional sanctions against entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Defense. Israel's promise of retaliation; Wall Street Journal: The Islamic Republic has begun withdrawing its forces from Syria. Consequences of the attack on Israel; Europeans are considering intensifying sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The President of the European Commission: The Islamic Republic's attack on Israel is a sign of a new alliance of autocrats. The visit of the foreign ministers of Britain and Germany to Israel; Cameron: It is clear that Israel has decided to respond to the Iranian government's attack. The U.S.: The potential retaliatory attack by Israel and its consequences are a cause for concern. The U.S. announced cooperation with allies to design a "unified strategy" in response to the actions of the Islamic Republic.