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Opening remarks 

Thank you, President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,  

European Union relations with Iran are at their lowest point. Iran’s negative behaviour is evident on several fronts. Iran continues to support Russia in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, through the provision of weapons, such as drones and, more recently, missiles. The human rights situation in Iran remains dire. Iran’s role in the region and its support to several armed groups contributes to instability, while the spiral of attacks and retaliations with Israel risks causing a wider regional conflict. Iran’s nuclear programme continues its dangerous expansion. 

Concern is also growing these days about Iranian hybrid threats on European soil. And there are credible reports about: the role of Iranian state bodies in planning and aiding recent attacks in a number of Member States; about threats to members of the Iranian diaspora in Europe, and about cyber actions, or influence campaigns trying to create divisions in our societies.  

In cases of such deplorable activities, the European Union has always taken a position of clear condemnation, publicly and in our direct contacts with the Iranian authorities, also in the past. We have always shown zero tolerance towards such unacceptable actions, to which we have responded, including with targeted actions. 

As European Union institutions, we must base our positions and actions on the outcomes of investigations and legal proceedings conducted by the competent national authorities who establish facts, responsibilities and the level of threat, in line with the legal and law enforcement order at national level. We have full trust in the national authorities to complete the respective ongoing investigations of recent cases.  

I can assure you that the European Union remains vigilant and continues to coordinate policies with our 27 Member States, looking for appropriate collective response where national processes are completed. In this regard, allow me to recall that the European Union has put in place sanctions regimes to target all aspects of Iran’s negative behaviour, and we will continue to use them whenever appropriate.  

I thank you. 

Link to video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-262612

Closing remarks  

Thank you, President,

The debate today shows the importance of maintaining a high-level attention on Iran’s hybrid threats. Attacks by any foreign country on European soil are, of course, unacceptable.  

I will stress that, again, as European Union, we will keep coordinating common policies and responses among Member States, in full observance and respect of the different competencies of national authorities. Let me also confirm that the European Union will continue to show zero tolerance for hybrid threats on its soil and stands ready to respond with all measures at its disposal – including sanctions – whenever needed.  

Let me just recall that the European Union has already listed individuals and entities of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the Iran human rights sanctions regime, the territorial integrity of Ukraine sanctions regime, the Syria sanctions regime, as well as the Iran weapons of mass destruction sanctions regime. Moreover, the European Union listed the IRGC in its entirely under the Iran weapons of mass destruction sanctions regime, which already comprises an asset freeze and the prohibition to make funds and economic resources available.  

In particular, the European Parliament has expressed through resolutions and a number of you have requested today to list the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. The High Representative and other colleagues have previously shared explanations on the steps required for such a listing. The prerequisite is a national decision by a competent national authority (such as a court decision, for instance) for acts that fall under the definition of terrorist acts under the sanctions regime ‘Council Common Position 931’. Such a national decision has been brought to the European Union Council. The next step is for the European Union Council to take a political decision, based on the Member State[s’] evaluation of all necessary elements. Ultimately, the listing of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is subject to a decision by the Council of the European Union, by unanimity of all European Union 27 Member States.  

I thank you.  

Link to video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-262614