Iran’s Proliferation Of Weapons A Threat To Europe: EU

The European Union has warned about the Islamic Republic’s “weapons proliferation” saying it is a threat to Europe and it might lead to further sanctions on Iran.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday said Tehran is teaming up with its biggest ally, Moscow, to destabilize “our global order” by deploying weapons such as drones to Russia.

Speaking at Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain, she noted that “Several Gulf countries have been warning for years about the risk that Iran feeds rogue nations around the world with drones.”

“It took us too long to understand a very simple fact that while we work to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, we must also focus on other forms of weapons’ proliferation, from drones to ballistic missiles,” added von der Leyen.

“It is a security risk not just for the Middle East, but for us all,” she underlined.

The European Union sanctioned 29 Iranians and three entities Monday over what it said was human rights violations related to suppression of ongoing protests.

A statement issued in Brussels, where foreign ministers met, said the move was over “their role in the death of Mahsa Amini and the violent response to the recent demonstrations in Iran.”

Iranian regime has warned of a “proportionate and firm” response to the EU over these sanctions.

However, von der Leyen hinted at more sanctions, expressing “We are coordinating with partners and allies to take further sanctions against Iran responding to the proliferation of Iranian drones.”

The Islamic Republic has admitted it has provided drones to Russia claiming that they were sent to Russia months before the Ukrainian war.