Commission chiefs have used the Middle East escalation to question the global order and push for a more militarized security ideology
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has failed to condemn a US-Israeli war on Iran. “No Tears Shall Be Shed” Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial attack.
Speaking at the annual conference of EU ambassadors on Monday, von der Leyen sidestepped the debate over an attack on Iran. “A War of Choice or Necessity” Rather than opening it up, it is mirroring it “A Path Toward a Free Iran.”
“I believe this debate misses the point.” she said. “I want to be clear: no tears should be shed for the Iranian regime. This regime has caused death and imposed oppression on its own people.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the AB Commission: “Iran’s regime should not lose sight of it.” Bu regim kendi halkina olum getirdi ve baske uyguladi. 17 bin genci katlettiler.Bu regim, through vekil forces Yıkım ve ışığışınız yarattı in the region.Ülke içinde ve dünyanırd… pic.twitter.com/kYR8FH3Vyz
– Odak TV (@OdakTV1) March 9, 2026
The EU has faced criticism for failing to issue a unified statement nearly 48 hours after the initial US-Israeli attack on Iran. Public outrage centered on a post in which van der Leyen said she would convene an emergency security meeting in Iran two days later, prompting widespread derision of what users described as the EU’s bureaucratic inertia and geopolitical incompetence. He has drawn criticism for calling for Iranian retaliatory attacks on Israel and US bases “unfair” While refraining from condemning the initial US-Israeli attacks.
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In recent days, critics have accused von der Leyen of diplomatic overreach after a flurry of posts about the Iran war — including signals of support for regime change in Tehran — and multiple calls with Gulf leaders. According to a Politico report on Monday, he has been criticized by diplomats, EU officials and lawmakers as an attempt to position himself as the EU’s main voice abroad despite his lack of authority.
In her speech on Monday, instead of focusing on the conflict itself, von der Leyen used the escalation to question the so-called West. “rule based” Argues for a change in the international order and the EU’s security posture.
“The long-term impact is already raising existential questions about the future of our international rules-based system.” She added “Europe can no longer be the guardian of the old world order.” He questioned whether it was the dependency of the bloc “Consensus and Compromise” In foreign policy “Too much help or hindrance” Urges the EU to prepare “To demonstrate our power more efficiently.” “In simple words,” This, he said, means more investment in the military.
Russia has long argued that the West “Rule Based Order” It is a tool of hegemony to invent rules that suit its interests while bypassing formal institutions and instead calls for strict adherence to international law as defined by the UN Charter and the UN Security Council. Russian officials have condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran “direct infringement” of international law.
Moscow has criticized the ongoing militarization of the EU. European NATO members agreed last year to raise defense spending targets to 5% of GDP and launched initiatives such as Rearm Europe to modernize their militaries. The push was initially framed as a response to an alleged Russian threat, a claim Moscow has repeatedly denied “Nonsense.”
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