From the Situation in Ukraine and Gaza to the Role of the Islamic Republic, at the Center of EU Foreign Ministers' Discussions

Important issues, including Ukraine's progress towards joining the European Union and the latest developments in the Gaza war, were discussed at the meeting of the foreign ministers of EU member states held in Brussels on Tuesday, May 8. This meeting, unlike regular sessions, was marked by special emphases from Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, who stressed the importance of the reconstruction and modernization process in Ukraine as a key pillar for the country's accession to the EU. He stated that this process would involve major structural reforms, significant investments, and improvements in the areas of rule of law, public administration, and anti-corruption efforts. The necessary actions for achieving sustainable peace in Gaza were another topic addressed. Borrell referred to the EU's efforts in this regard, stating, "We continuously call for a humanitarian pause that leads to a permanent ceasefire and demand the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid to the people in the region." In an exclusive interview with Peter Stano, the EU's chief foreign and security policy spokesperson, more complex topics such as the EU's relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and its impact on regional crises were discussed. Stano explained in response to questions about how to manage sanctions against the Islamic Republic's missile activities that the EU is still seeking to maintain diplomatic channels with Tehran despite the sanctions. He added that the Iranian government has significant influence over some regional actors who can either escalate or de-escalate tensions in areas like Gaza and the Red Sea. Borrell's spokesperson also referred to new EU sanctions against Tehran recently imposed due to the Islamic Republic's support for Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and human rights violations within Iran. He emphasized that the EU is expanding the scope of sanctions related to drones supplied to Russia, which may also include some activities related to the Islamic Republic's drone industries. In response to a question about the EU's failure to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, Stano stated, "The decision in this regard is up to the member states and must first be decided at the national level." The spokesperson for the EU's foreign and security policy chief further emphasized that adding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the EU's list of foreign terrorist organizations "requires judicial actions." Borrell: I explained the drone and missile sanctions against the Islamic Republic to Amir-Abdollahian. The US, UK, and Canada coordinated to impose sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The European Parliament resolution: The IRGC and the entirety of Hezbollah should be placed on the list of "terrorist organizations." The Estonian Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires to demand the release of its citizen. Israel called for Europe to "wake up" against the Islamic Republic's "empire of evil."