European Union (EU) Leaders have agreed to tighten sanctions against Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East over Iran’s retaliatory attack on Israel.
According to Reuters on January 17 (local time), EU leaders condemned Iran’s attack and reaffirmed their support for Israel’s security at the special EU summit held in Brussels, Belgium. They also urged all parties, including Lebanon, to avoid further escalation in a statement issued after the meeting. The meeting was the first gathering of the leaders of the 27 EU leaders since Iran’s retaliatory air strike on January 13.
Charles Michel, the permanent president of the EU summit, stressed that “it is crucial to take all measures to isolate Iran” and said that “new sanctions against Iran will focus on companies involved in the production of drones and missiles.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that “it is important that Israel does not respond with a large-scale attack of its own.”
On January 13, Iran launched a retaliatory air strike against Israel for the attack on its consulate in Syria. Fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East are growing as Israel has vowed ‘painful retaliation.’
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