Ciarán Cuffe, Co-Chair of the European Green Party, said: “The US and Israeli attacks on Iran, without a mandate, undermine international law, and are fuelling a dangerous spiral of military escalation that has already spread to multiple countries. This escalating war and the Iranian response are having devastating consequences for millions of people. Hundreds have already lost their lives; the Israeli government is continuing to bomb Southern Lebanon and has resumed large-scale strikes on Beirut following Hezbollah rocket fire; an air-strike on Minab, Iran, has led to scores of schoolchildren being killed. Few will grieve over the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a brutal ruler responsible for countless deaths, yet further bombing in urban areas will claim more innocent civilian lives. The EU and its Member States must take their responsibility and use all their geopolitical leverage to end the slaughter through negotiation.”
Vula Tsetsi, Co-Chair of the European Green Party, added: ‘The Iranian people’s call for human rights and democratic freedoms must be heard and supported through the protection of civilians and full respect for international law, including international humanitarian law. The European Greens have always been unequivocal in our opposition to the murderous and repressive Iranian regime. We stand firmly with Iranian civil society and with all those fighting for democracy, women’s rights, and fundamental freedoms.’
‘We strongly urge all parties, including Iran, to refrain from further military escalation, which threatens civilians and regional stability. At the same time, attacks that have struck Lebanon and other neighbouring countries demonstrate how quickly this conflict is spreading beyond its original theatre. Protecting civilians and upholding international law must be the immediate priority. The long-term stability of Iran and the wider region depends on accountability, human rights, international law and a clear commitment to diplomacy over violence’.
