Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union Commission, issued a blistering denunciation on Monday against the brutal, despotic Islamic regime in Iran.
Speaking at the EU Ambassadors’ Conference 2026 in Brussels, she stated, “I start with the Middle East — not only because of the gravity and speed of the conflict there, but also because of what it tells us about the world — and how Europe and its foreign policy fits into that.”
She defended the U.S.-led attack on Iran, stating, “You will hear different views about whether the conflict in Iran is a war of choice or a war of necessity. But I believe this debate partly misses the point. Because Europe must focus on the reality of the situation, to see the world as it actually is today.”
She then denounced the Iranian regime:
I want to be clear: there should be no tears shed for the Iranian regime that has inflicted death and imposed repression on its own people. They slaughtered 17,000 of their own young people. And this regime has caused devastation and destabilization across the region through its proxies armed with missiles and drones. Many Iranians, inside the country and across Europe and the world, have celebrated Ayatollah Khamenei’s demise, as have many more people across the region. They hope that this moment can open a path towards a free Iran. The people of Iran deserve freedom, dignity, and the right to decide their own future — even if we know this will be fraught with danger and instability during and after the war.
“British military bases have been targeted in Cyprus — who I want to reaffirm our full solidarity with,” she noted. “NATO troops have been called upon to shoot down a drone. Our citizens are caught in the crossfire. Our partners are being attacked — and I have been in touch with many of them across the region to express our solidarity and support.”
She called for a Europe more willing to assert itself in global conflicts:
And the longer-term impact is already posing existential questions. On the future of our international rules-based system, or on how Europe finds unity in these situations. All of this shows how precarious the global situation is today, how diverse the threats are, and how Europe will always be affected by what happens around the world. So the idea that we can simply retrench and withdraw from this chaotic world is simply a fallacy. I believe it is vital that we understand this as we shape our foreign policy for the year ahead.
Thank you, Madam President.
It was encouraging to hear @vonderleyen President of the European Commission, speak with such clarity.
For the first time since the strong words of @EP_President, President of the European Parliament, we are now hearing Ursula von der Leyen, reminding… pic.twitter.com/31euMycMz3— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) March 10, 2026
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