Iran International
A senior member of the European Parliament is calling for a fundamental shift in Europe’s approach toward Iran, arguing that continued negotiations with the Islamic Republic are no longer defensible after Tehran’s deadly crackdown on protesters.
Daniel Attard, a Maltese Member of the European Parliament who serves as Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Iran, urged European governments to move beyond statements of concern and adopt concrete political and economic measures against Tehran, he said in an interview on Eye for Iran podcast.
“Responsibility to protect is not just a slogan, it is a commitment,” Attard said. “When a regime turns on its own people, when the regime kills its own people to stay in power, sovereignty cannot be used as a shield.”
Rising tensions amid military buildup
Attard’s remarks come as tensions surrounding Iran continue to escalate, with Washington increasing its military posture in the region.
In recent weeks, US naval assets, including aircraft carrier strike groups and advanced fighter aircraft have been repositioned closer to the Middle East, a move analysts say is intended to deter further escalation while signaling readiness should diplomacy fail.
The heightened military presence coincides with ongoing diplomatic talks in Geneva and growing concern in Europe over Iran’s ballistic missile program, which US officials warn could eventually threaten both European territory and American forces abroad.
Against that backdrop, Attard argued Europe cannot remain a passive observer.
“The time for negotiation is over,” he said. “We should be decisive, we should show leadership, we should match the courage of the people of Iran — the students, the women, the youth, the elderly — who have showed great courage.”
A full-spectrum pressure strategy
Attard outlined what he described as a comprehensive pressure strategy targeting the regime politically, economically and diplomatically.
“We need to halt all trade incoming from Iran either directly or indirectly,” he said. “Iranian embassies are still operating like it was business as usual in Europe. So we need to be more decisive. No more business as usual — be it politically, be it economically, and be it diplomatically.”
The European Parliament has already pushed for the designation of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, a step Attard described as “very long overdue.” But he stressed that enforcement now matters as much as designation.
“We should enforce those sanctions without any possibility of any loopholes,” he said.
He added that EU member states have the authority to take further steps immediately.
“Governments can decide to close or to restrict severely the operation of Iranian diplomatic embassies within the Union. This is something which member states can actually do, and they can do it right now.”
Europe’s credibility at stake
Attard acknowledged that divisions among EU member states and competing geopolitical interests have slowed action in the past but warned that Europe’s credibility now depends on consistency.
“We cannot claim to defend human rights if we look away to what’s happening on the streets of Iran,” he said. “Our credibility demands consistency.”
He expressed confidence that pressure from lawmakers would continue to grow.
“As long as the Iranian regime thinks it can silence its people, we will echo and amplify their voices,” Attard said.
Message to Iranians and to Tehran
Addressing Iranians directly, Attard praised protesters’ resilience and framed their struggle as one rooted in universal values.
“Your courage is seen and we shall not look away,” he said. “This is a fight about universal values — human rights, dignity and equality.”
His message to Iran’s leadership was considerably shorter.
“My message is clear,” Attard said. “Your time is up.”
