Israel’s Foreign Minister Praises EU’s ‘Dramatic’ New Sanctions Against Iran

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has commended the European Union’s recent decision to extend sanctions on Iran, specifically targeting its missile and drone activities in the Middle East. The EU Foreign Affairs Council made this announcement on Monday, April 22, marking a significant expansion of the existing UAV sanctions regime to now include measures against entities and individuals involved in the Iranian missile program.

This move by the EU comes as a result of extensive diplomatic engagement and advocacy by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, spearheaded by Katz, who has held numerous discussions with his European counterparts in recent weeks. Katz expressed gratitude towards the EU for its decision, highlighting its timing just before the Passover holiday, a celebration of freedom, which he noted adds symbolic weight to the sanctions expansion.

The foreign minister stated, “This is a dramatic decision that sends a clear message to Khamenei, to Iran and its proxies: you cannot continue to undermine regional stability and peace.” He also acknowledged the efforts of Israel’s mission to the European Union, Israeli embassies across Europe, and the ministry’s Strategic Affairs Division in advocating for these sanctions.

Looking ahead, Katz emphasized that Israel would continue to push for broader sanctions against Iran, particularly targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in efforts to further curb Iran’s influence in the region.