EU working to expand Iran sanctions after attack on Israel: Borrell

Brussels, Belgium — AFP

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said that Brussels is starting work on expanding sanctions against Iran after its attack on Israel.

Speaking after an emergency online meeting of EU foreign ministers, Borrell said the bloc would look to toughen measures against Iran’s supplies of weaponry — including drones — to Russia and proxy groups around the Middle East.

“Some member states propose the adoption of expanded restrictive measures against Iran,” Borrell said.

The EU’s top diplomat said he was requesting his service “start the necessary work related to the sanctions”.

EU foreign ministers held urgent talks after Iran’s unprecedented weekend drone and missile onslaught against Israel, which caused little damage.

Their meeting came on the eve of a two-day EU leaders’ summit in Brussels.

Tehran’s first-ever direct assault on Israeli soil came in response to a deadly attack on its consulate in Damascus by Israel.

Borrell said the EU countries roundly reiterated their condemnation for Iran’s attack and backed Israel’s “right to self-defence.”

“We have to move away from the edge of the abyss,” Borrell said.

The EU has already slapped sanctions on Iran over supplies of drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine and has threatened to punish Tehran if it gives missiles to Moscow. However, Iran has firmly denied having supplied arms to Russia.

Borrell said some member states had raised the possibility of adding Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to the EU’s “terrorist” blacklist. However, he insisted this first required a legal ruling.