At a time when Europe is grappling with a severe economic crisis stemming from the irrational conduct and miscalculations of EU leaders, the European Commission president stated, continuing what critics describe as a costly and misguided approach, that lifting sanctions on Iran is contingent upon “fundamental changes” in the country, adding that it is still “too early” to consider such a move.
Speaking at a meeting in Berlin with Germany’s ruling parties, she cited human rights claims and alleged support for the Iranian people as justification for the sanctions, insisting on the need for fundamental changes in Iran. These assertions come at a time when the real nature of European sanctions and conduct toward the Iranian people, including during the Ramadan War, has exposed the hollowness of such claims. At the same time, as many European officials acknowledge, Europe’s economic situation—shaped by developments in the Strait of Hormuz and the Ukraine war—is so fragile that the continent lacks any standing to impose conditions on others. In this context, figures such as von der Leyen are seen as contributing not to solutions, but to Europe’s deepening crises.
Real Nature of Sanctions
Von der Leyen invokes outdated human rights rhetoric to justify sanctions on Iran, yet the record and foundational documents of these measures show they have never been about human rights. From the outset, they were designed to undermine the fundamental rights of Iranians.
The clearest evidence contradicting von der Leyen’s claims is found in the official report of the UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures, Alena Douhan. The report explicitly states that 95 percent of sanctions burden ordinary Iranian citizens. It further characterizes these sanctions, including restrictions on medicine and healthcare, as inhumane, crimes against humanity, acts of genocide, and flagrant violations of international law and the UN Charter. It calls for their immediate lifting and for those responsible to be held accountable and punished.
The report clearly demonstrates that Western sanctions aim to exert political pressure on Iranian society to force concessions on nuclear, missile, and regional issues, and even to support terrorists and separatist groups as part of efforts to weaken and fragment Iran.
Human Rights and Western Credibility (Gaza and the Ramadan War)
Von der Leyen presents a human rights narrative to restore credibility to a European Union increasingly sidelined in global affairs. Yet Europe’s own record of conduct and non-compliance exposes the mismatch between such rhetoric and reality.
A Europe that has failed to uphold its commitments under the JCPOA and has subordinated its political and economic independence to the United States and Israel carries a deeply tarnished human rights record. From rising xenophobia and racism across Europe to support for extremist and terrorist groups, and complicity in acts of genocide, the evidence is unmistakable.
Von der Leyen claims that sanctions are grounded in human rights concerns and intended to support the Iranian people. Yet her political counterparts in the United States, through the bombing of a school in Minab, the killing of women and children during the Ramadan War, and ongoing maritime blockades aimed at worsening economic conditions, have demonstrated what their version of “support” looks like.
Von der Leyen has so far refused to condemn the Minab attack or the American-Israeli aggression against Iran, and has even expressed support for such actions. Today, her stated priority is the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, rather than an end to aggression by Israel and the United States.
These policies have led to widespread disbelief in such political performances. Such displays will not generate even a minimal level of credibility for Europe in international affairs. Instead, they further expose the hypocrisy and double standards of European leadership and accelerate Europe’s slide toward irrelevance.
A Leadership That Has Undermined Europe
Von der Leyen portrays herself as a savior and revitalizer of Europe’s global standing, yet her record at the European Commission reflects a chain of failures that have generated costs rather than gains for the continent.
Her insistence on prolonging the Ukraine war and channeling hundreds of billions of euros of European taxpayers’ money into the conflict with Russia, while Europe simultaneously pays exorbitant energy prices to the United States, along with compliance with Washington’s demand to raise NATO spending to 5 percent of GDP, and placing Europe on the “wrong side of history” in the Ramadan War, are among the major failures attributed to her leadership. Even she has acknowledged that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz alone imposed a $32 billion economic cost.
Rather than fulfilling Europe’s strategic interests, her policies are seen as contributing to the continent’s decline and escalating financial burden—particularly given her alignment with pressure from Donald Trump and her support for Israeli policies.
Cost of Clinging to Failed Policies
While several European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have acknowledged miscalculations regarding Iran and called for a change in approach and the lifting of sanctions to help Europe escape its energy crisis, figures such as von der Leyen continue to pursue outdated policies and assumptions. Critics argue that her inability to grasp the evolving realities of the international system places her on a path contrary to Europe’s interests.
Her policies not only fail to benefit crisis-stricken Europe but are expected to further exacerbate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and increase Europe’s economic and political burden. As a result, some European policymakers argue that structural changes in EU leadership, particularly within the European Commission, may become unavoidable.
NOURNEWS