Defying international criticism, Iran has sentenced many protestors to death, and continues to execute people arrested during recent demonstrations.

The demonstrations started in mid-September after a young woman, Mahsa Amini, died in the custody of the ‘morality police’ for, they claimed, breaking the strict hijab rules. Hundreds of people have been killed in the protests that have followed and thousands arrested because of their brutal repression by the government.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called these death sentences “state sanctioned killing”, and said that the Iranian government is using executions to intimidate the population and stamp out dissent.

While the EU is discussing a fourth round of sanctions because of the regime crackdown and Iran's military support for Russia, some member states have called for the classification by the EU of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

EU - Iran

MEPs assess the latest developments in the Middle East, in particular in Iran, and what the EU can do to help restore peace.

Parliament reviews the latest events in the region, including the US airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities at the end of June 2025, and Israel’s earlier attacks on Iranian targets, which led to Iran launching missiles at Israeli cities. In a plenary debate on 16 June, the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, said that Iran, as the main source of regional instability, must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. She also defended diplomacy as the best way to address Iran's nuclear programme in the long run.

MEPs are also expected to repeat their calls for an end to the deplorable humanitarian situation in Gaza, for a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for a hostage release agreement.

Plenary debate on the situation in Middle East

Joint Debate - Situation in the Middle East
Risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation
Review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Joint Debate - Situation in the Middle East

MEPs and the Commission discuss Iran’s state-sponsored terrorism in light of recent attacks in Europe.

The debate follows recent reports by European security services that Iran may have been involved in the explosions and shootings that took place near the Israeli embassies in Stockholm and Copenhagen, by using local criminal gangs. European officials have also warned of an increase in assassination attempts by Iranian intelligence targeting Jews and regime critics on European soil.

The European Parliament has long been a vocal critic of the Iranian clerical regime for its brutal suppression of the democratic aspirations of its own citizens, as well as its support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. MEPs have also called for the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be placed on the EU terrorist list.

State sponsored terrorism by the Islamic Republic of Iran in the light of the recent attacks in Europe

Parliament evaluates the escalating violence in the Middle East and the latest developments in Lebanon with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. This discussion follows the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023, and which has since triggered ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional instability.

As Israel intensifies ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, around 100 Israeli hostages remain unaccounted for, and casualty numbers in Gaza continue to rise. In response to the conflict, Iran has launched ballistic missiles at Israel. High Representative Borrell has emphasized the EU's commitment to prevent a regional war. MEPs have previously called for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian aid access, with reports from the Gaza Health Ministry indicating that approximately 40,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023 due to Israel's response to the attack by Hamas.

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon

EP Plenary session - Situation in the Middle East

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Situation in the Middle East

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

EP Plenary session - State sponsored terrorism by the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the recent attacks in Europe

EP Plenary session - Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon

Delegations for relations with Iran Constitutive meeting

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144) Latest attacks against women, women's rights defenders in Iran, and its arbitrary detention of EU nationals

DROI -  Exchange of views on the human rights situation one year after the death of Iranian Masha Amini

EP Plenary session - Statement by the VPC/HR - Iran: one year after the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini

AFET DROI joint meeting - Exchange of views on ‘How to support Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy in Iran

Delegation for relations with Iran - FEMM joint meeting Exchange of views with 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin EBADI on the situation of women in Iran

Charlie WEIMERS meets Crown Prince of IRAN Reza PAHLAVI

EP Plenary session - EU response to the protests and executions in Iran

Roberta METSOLA, EP President delivers a speech at the Iranian Solidarity Rally in Strasbourg

EP Plenary session - EU response to the increasing crack-down on protests in Iran

DROI subcommittee  - Exchange of views on the ongoing mass protests in Iran

DROI Committee - Exchange of views on women’s role in the rights and freedoms protest in Iran and government crackdown

MEPs assess the latest developments in the Middle East, in particular in Iran, and what the EU can do to help restore peace. Parliament reviews the latest events in the region, including the US airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities at the end of June 2025, and Israel’s earlier attacks on Iranian targets, which led to Iran launching missiles at Israeli cities. In a plenary debate on 16 June, the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, said that Iran, as the main source of regional instability, must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. She also defended diplomacy as the best way to address Iran's nuclear programme in the long run. MEPs also repeat their calls for an end to the deplorable humanitarian situation in Gaza, for a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for a hostage release agreement.

Situation in the Middle East: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs assess the latest developments in the Middle East, in particular in Iran, and what the EU can do to help restore peace. Parliament reviews the latest events in the region, including the US airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities at the end of June 2025, and Israel’s earlier attacks on Iranian targets, which led to Iran launching missiles at Israeli cities. In a plenary debate on 16 June, the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, said that Iran, as the main source of regional instability, must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. She also defended diplomacy as the best way to address Iran's nuclear programme in the long run. Opening statements by Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs, and Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth.

Situation in the Middle East: opening statements by Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs, and Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

Situation in the Middle East: extracts from the debate

MEPs assess the latest developments in the Middle East, in particular in Iran, and what the EU can do to help restore peace. Parliament reviews the latest events in the region, including the US airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities at the end of June 2025, and Israel’s earlier attacks on Iranian targets, which led to Iran launching missiles at Israeli cities. In a plenary debate on 16 June, the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, said that Iran, as the main source of regional instability, must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. She also defended diplomacy as the best way to address Iran's nuclear programme in the long run. Closing statements by Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, and by Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs

Situation in the Middle East: closing statements by Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, and by Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs

Council and Commission statement - Situation in the Middle East: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs, Council and Commission discuss risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation and the launch of a review of the agreement that forms the basis of EU-Israel political and economic cooperation. Israel's compliance with human rights and democratic principles is an essential element of the country’s association agreement with EU, enshrined in article two of the agreement. Reacting to Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, EU foreign policy chief Kaja KALLAS announced the launch of a review of article two of the agreement on 20 May 2025. This is the first step in a procedure that could eventually lead to the suspension of the agreement. This news item shows extracts from the joint debate.

Situation in the Middle East: extracts from the joint debate

MEPs, Council and Commission discuss risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation and the launch of a review of the agreement that forms the basis of EU-Israel political and economic cooperation. Israel's compliance with human rights and democratic principles is an essential element of the country’s association agreement with EU, enshrined in article two of the agreement. Reacting to Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, EU foreign policy chief Kaja KALLAS announced the launch of a review of article two of the agreement on 20 May 2025. This is the first step in a procedure that could eventually lead to the suspension of the agreement. First part of the debate.

Joint Debate - Situation in the Middle East: MEPs debate (part 1)

Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, makes a statement on the risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation. She also comments on a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint Debate - Situation in the Middle East: opening statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

Motion for resolution - Case of Jean-Jacques Wondo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Motion for resolution - Systematic repression of human rights in Iran, notably the cases of Pakhshan Azizi and Wrisha Moradi, and the taking of EU citizens as hostages Motion for resolution - Case of Boualem Sansal in Algeria Motions for resolution - Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (Debate: 17/12/2024) Motions for resolution - Situation in Venezuela following the usurpation of the presidency on 10 January 2025

Voting session

MEPs vote on the following motions for resolutions: the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the national security law in Hong Kong, The increasing and systematic repression of women in Iran, The shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, in particular the case of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL, Georgia's worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud (Debate: 13/11/2024), Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, and on new recommendation on smoke and aerosol-free environments.

MEPs debate the increasing and systematic repression against women in Iran with closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The increasing and systematic repression against women in Iran: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss the escalating violence in the Middle East and the latest developments in Lebanon with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. This discussion follows the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023, and which has since triggered ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional instability.

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon: MEPs debate (part 2)

Parliament evaluates the escalating violence in the Middle East and the latest developments in Lebanon with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. This discussion follows the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023, and which has since triggered ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional instability.

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon: MEPs debate (part 1)

Opening statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. Parliament evaluates the escalating violence in the Middle East and the latest developments in Lebanon with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. This discussion follows the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023, and which has since triggered ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional instability. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon: opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

Closing statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. Parliament evaluates the escalating violence in the Middle East and the latest developments in Lebanon with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. This discussion follows the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023, and which has since triggered ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional instability.

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon: closing statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

Remarks on the closing of the 9th legislative term, MEPs vote on the following topics: Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev; the proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia; the new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John; Freund (AFCO 22/04); Asimakopoulou (BUDG 22/04); Mureşan (A9-0174/2024); Mureşan (BUDG 22/04); Oetjen (A9-0409/2023); Kanko (A9-0411/2023); Ehler (A9-0343/2023); Russia's undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories; new allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union; attempts to reintroduce a foreign agent law in Georgia and its restrictions on civil society and Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response.

MEPs discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, the need for de-escalation and for an EU response and vote on a resolution on Thursday. EP President Roberta Metsola described Iran’s direct drone and missile attack on Israel on 20 and 21 April as a major escalation in the region and warned it risks igniting further chaos across the Middle East. Closing statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response: Closing statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VP of the European Commission

MEPs discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, the need for de-escalation and for an EU response and vote on a resolution on Thursday. EP President Roberta Metsola described Iran’s direct drone and missile attack on Israel on 20 and 21 April as a major escalation in the region and warned it risks igniting further chaos across the Middle East. Second part of the debate.

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