Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, sharply criticized the Iranian regime during a speech in Brussels. She defended the U.S.-led actions against Iran and highlighted the regime's repression of its people. Von der Leyen expressed solidarity with affected allies amid regional tensions.
On Monday, Ursula von der Leyen addressed the EU Ambassadors’ Conference 2026 in Brussels, focusing on the Middle East conflict. She began by noting the region's gravity and its implications for Europe's foreign policy. "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 said.
Von der Leyen addressed debates over 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 issued a strong condemnation of the Iranian regime, saying, "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." She mentioned that many Iranians and others in the region have celebrated the demise of Ayatollah Khamenei, hoping for a path to 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," she added.
Von der Leyen highlighted impacts on Europe, including attacks on British military bases in Cyprus and NATO troops shooting 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 noted, reaffirming solidarity with the UK.
Looking ahead, she urged Europe to engage more assertively in global affairs. "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," she concluded. The speech drew praise from Iranian activist Masih Alinejad on March 10, 2026, who called it a clear and encouraging statement.
