European Parliament’s resolution to address the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran and to stabilize middle east region

Translated by Valeria D’Alessandro

The last resolution of the European Parliament, adopted on April 25^th, 2024, “condemns with the utmost firmness the unprecedent drones and missiles attacks perpetrated by Iran against Israel on the night of April 13^th to 14^th, 2024, as well as the significant escalation and threat to regional security that these attacks represent”. The resolution was adopted following an escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, which raised serious concerns for regional security.

The resolution was approved with 357 votes in favor, 20 against and 58 abstentions. The deputies confirmed their support for the security of Israeli territory and its citizens, condemning the “simultaneous attacks” committed by Hezbollah and Houthi rebels in Yemen against the Golan Heights and Israeli territory.

At the same time, the Parliament expressed its disapproval of the assault on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1^st, an incident commonly attributed to Israel. The resolution aimed to emphasize the importance of upholding the principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular offices, as stated by international law.

Despite the invitation to all involved parties to avoid further intensification of the conflict and to adopt a moderate behavior, the Parliament expressed serious concern about the destabilizing role that the Iranian government and their affiliates are playing in the Middle East region. Consequently, Brussels expressed the necessity to expand the framework of sanction against Iran, in response to the escalation of tensions.

A widening of sanctions against Iran and the destabilizing role of Iranian regime

The European Union has always condemned, in any form, Iran’s military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, including the provision of drones, considering it unacceptable.

On July 20^th, 2023, the Counsil decided to institute a framework of specific restrictive measures in response to Iran’s military support for the Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions regime prohibits the EU from exporting components to Iran for the construction and production of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs). It also states the establishment of travel restrictions and asset freezes for those responsible for the Iranian unmanned drone program, those who support it, or those involved in it. The 2022 regime currently applies to six individuals and five entities and has been prolonged until July 27^th, 2024. In the April 5^th resolution, the European Parliament is preparing to impose sanctions on Iran’s production and supply of unmanned aerial vehicle, destined not only for Russia but also for the entire Middle East region. Moreover, the EU urgently requests that such sanctions be applied promptly and involve a larger number of individuals and entities linked to the Iranian regime than the ones identified in July 2022. Their objective is to coordinate these sanctions with those imposed by USA, UK, G7, and other allies to maximize the efficiency of such measures and ensure a united response to the increasing instability in the Middle East region.

In the resolution, it is also requested that the Council, the vice president of the Commission, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy fully designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran and Hezbollah as a terroristic organization in the European Union’s list.

Respect for obligations derived from the nuclear agreement and operation ASPIDES

Furthermore, the European Parliament expresses strong disapproval of Iran’s persistent lack of respect for legal obligation relatives to nuclear control, as stipulated in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an international agreement on nuclear energy involving Iran, the five permanent member of the UN Security Council and the European Union.

The agreement established strict restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities, along with the most comprehensive monitoring and inspection regime ever implemented by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Once the JCPOA was implemented in 2015, there was a drastic reduction in Irani’s reserves of enriched uranium, by around 98%. Moreover, thousands of centrifuges were deactivated. Iran’s temporary acceptance of the additional protocol of the IAEA and other provisions of the JCPOA related to transparency allowed the Agency to conduct inspections at any time and at any selected Iranian nuclear site.

Finally, the resolution adopted on April 25^th supports the decision to launch Operation ASPIDES by the EU’s naval forces to safeguard Yemen’s coasts. Iran and entities under its control are urged to ensure the immediate and safe release of all hostages held by the Houthi, including two Bulgarian citizens, one Romanian and three Ukrainian, who have been held since November 19^th 2023, aboard the ship Galaxy Leader.

In conclusion, the text adopted by the European Parliament expresses deep concern over the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran and its potential consequences for regional and global security. It is expected that the European Union may play a constructive role in promoting regional stability by adopting a diplomatic approach and implementing targeted sanctions against Iran. These actions could contribute to fostering a climate of dialogue, reducing tensions, and promoting peaceful solutions to conflicts in the Middle East.

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