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 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. First part of the debate.

Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss with Josep Borrell Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, the need for de-escalation and the urgent need for an EU response. They will 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, the as a major escalation in the region and warned it risks igniting further chaos across the Middle East. MEPs will assess the situation in a key debate on Wednesday morning, followed by a resolution on which they will vote on Thursday.

Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response: extracts from the debate

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. Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, gives an introductory remark on the Swedish national held in prison in Iran during the plenary session in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: Introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the Swedish national held in prison in Iran

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her introductory remark on the situation of the Iranian Lawyer of Masha Amini at the beginning of the plenary session (15-18 January 2024) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the situation of the Iranian Lawyer of Masha Amini

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her introductory remark at the beginning of the plenary session (15-18 January 2024) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the Freedom Prize to the European Parliament in the Lithuanian Seimas

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work. It gives recognition to individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of thought. Through the prize and its associated network the EU assists laureates, who are supported and empowered in their efforts to defend their causes. This year, the award goes to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran. This news item shows extracts from the statement by the laurate during the Sakharov Prize 2023 ceremony.

Award of the 2023 Sakharov Prize: statements by Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar representing Woman, Life, Freedom Movement, Sakharov Prize 2023 laureates

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work. It gives recognition to individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of thought. Through the prize and its associated network the EU assists laureates, who are supported and empowered in their efforts to defend their causes. This year, the award goes to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran. Jina Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman, who died in September 2022, following physical abuse at the hands of the Iranian security services, while in custody. Her death sparked massive women-led protests in Iran against the hijab law and other discriminatory laws. This news item shows extracts from the ceremony of the 2023 Sakharov Prize during the plenary session in Strasbourg.

Award of the 2023 Sakharov Prize: extracts from the ceremony

"Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran" is awarded as the 2023 Sakharov Prize laureate. "The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. The European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President Metsola and political groups’ leaders) select the winning laureate. This news item shows footage from the roundtable at the COP and from the announcement of the laureate by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament.

Sakharov Prize 2023 laureate: roundtable at the COP and extracts from the announcement of "Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran" as the laureate, by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, announces in front of the hemicycle in Strasbourg the Sakharov Prize 2023 laureate: "Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran". The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is named in honour of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 laureate "Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran" by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Each year Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize to honour exceptional individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. The winner of this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran. The 22-year-old Kurdish woman was visiting Tehran in September 2022, when she was arrested and beaten by the so-called moral police for wearing the hijab the “wrong” way. Her death a few days later sparked massive protests in Iran, with women at the forefront. Under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom”, they have been protesting against the hijab law and other discriminatory laws. This infoclip shows footage of Iranian protests, riots and current images of Iranian people's life in Teheran. This infoclip shows street views, traffic and daily life in Tehran, Iran. The footage was shot in autumn 2023.

Infoclip: Tehran (Iran) - Sakharov Prize 2023

Arrested by the morality police on 13 September 2022 for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws, Jina Mahsa Amini died in a Tehran hospital three days later following physical abuse while in custody. Her death sparked protests that spread around the country with at least 500 people killed after the Iranian authorities clamped down on the demonstrations with brutal force. MEPs discuss the situation in Iran and mark Amini’s death that sparked months of mass protests in the county.

Iran: one year after the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini: MEPs debate (part 2)

Roberta MESOLA, EP President, gives her introductory remarks ahead the plenary session in Strasbourg on the one year anniversary of the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini in Iran. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session: introductory remark by Roberta MESOLA, EP President, on the one year anniversary of the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini in Iran

Roberta METSOLA, EP President gives her opening statement on the situation in Iran ahead of the Plenary Session in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: introductory statements by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the situation in Iran

MEPs from the DROI (SUB Committee on Human Rights) and AFET (Foreign Affairs) Committees discuss how to support human rights, freedom and democracy in Iran with several guests: Mansoureh Shojayi, women's rights activist and writer, Mahdieh Golroo, journalist and women's rights activist, Fatameh Karimi, Researcher in Sociology of Gender, women's rights activist and President of Kurdistan human rights network France, Sattar Rahmani, a former teacher and political prisoner in Iran, expert on teachers' rights movement and Ardeshir Amir Arjomand, senior advisor to presidential candidate Mr. Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Extracts from the exchange of views. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

How to support Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy in Iran: extracts from the exchange of views

MEPs vote on the following topics: Iran: in particular the poisoning of hundreds of school girls - Motion for resolutions; Tunisia: Recent attacks against freedom of expression and association and trade unions, in particular the case of journalist Noureddine Boutar - Motion for resolutions; Cambodia: the case of opposition leader Kem Sokha - Motion for resolutions; The EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders - Hannah NEUMANN (Greens/EFA, DE).

Voting session, including a Motion for resolution on poisoning of hundreds of school girls in Iran

Parliament hold urgent debates on the following human rights, democracy and rule of law topics. Iran: in particular the poisoning of hundreds of school girls. Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The situation of the poisoning of hundreds of school girls in Iran

MEPs vote on the following topics: Humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh - Motions for resolutions, The storming of the Brazilian democratic institutions - Motions for resolutions, Situation of journalists in Morocco, notably the case of Omar Radi - Motions for resolutions, The establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine - Motions for resolutions, EU response to the protests and executions in Iran - Motions for resolutions, Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2021 - Angelika WINZIG (EPP,AT), Protection of the European Union’s financial interests -combating fraud - annual report 2021 - Sabrina PIGNEDOLI (NI,IT), Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future Perspectives - João PIMENTA LOPES (The Left, PT), Revision of European Works Councils Directive - Dennis RADTKE (EPP, DE).

Voting session: including the motion for resolutions on the EU response to the protests and executions, and the The establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine

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