German Foreign Minister called for expanding sanctions against Iran

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for the introduction of additional sanctions against Iran in connection with the Islamic Republic’s attack on Israel. She stated this on the air of the Brennpunkt program on the social and legal television channel ARD on Sunday, April 14.

The head of German diplomacy noted that the European Union has already imposed sanctions against Tehran for supplying drones to Russia, but she is “waging an active campaign” for the expansion of punitive measures. “We see how dangerous its (Iran. – Ed.) actions are,” Burbock said, commenting on Iran’s attack on Israel.

Josep Borrell convenes an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers

Earlier in the day, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell convened an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers amid Iranian attacks on Israel. It is due to take place on April 16. “Our goal is to contribute to de-escalation and security of the region,” said the head of EU diplomacy.

The European Union “condemns in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks on Israel using drones and missiles. This is an unprecedented escalation and a threat to regional security,” Borrell stressed. He called on all parties to exercise “maximum restraint.”

Germany condemns Iranian attack

Iran’s operation, Operation Promise Fulfilled, was a response to the killing of two high-ranking Iranian officers in Syria. On April 1, a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate building in the Syrian capital Damascus killed 16 people, including two Iranian brigadier generals. The international community is concerned about the threat of a large-scale war in the Middle East.

Western countries strongly condemned Iran’s actions. “With this irresponsible and unjustified attack, Iran risks provoking a regional war,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while assuring that Germany stands firmly with Israel. For her part, Annalena Burbock strongly condemned the Iranian attack, “which could plunge the entire region into a state of chaos.”