The European Union took a tough stance on Iran calling, for the nation to be "free" and to target the "oppressors", in an apparent reference to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This came as US President Donald Trump has softened his tone on Iran, even hinting at possible talks with the nation, only days after threatening to carry out attacks.
"From the streets of Tehran to the heart of the European Parliament, the message is clear: Iran must be free. Iran will be free. The @Europarl_EN has overwhelmingly voted to back the aspirations of the Iranian people," Roberta Metsola, president of European Parliament said in a post on X on Thursday.
Metsola further informed that the European Parliament had called for certain decisive actions, including designation of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a "terrorist organisation".
Following are the demands of EU:- Stop the violence: End the brutal crackdown and mass killings of peaceful protesters.
- Halt executions: Immediately stop the state-sanctioned killings used to silence dissent.
- Free the brave: Release every imprisoned demonstrator and political prisoner.
- Target the oppressors: Designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation and hold those responsible accountable.
"To the courageous people of Iran: Even when cables are cut, we hear you. Even when blackouts fall, we see you. You are not alone. The European Parliament stands firmly with you," Metsola concluded.
From attack to talks: Trump softens stance
Trump, while unveiling his "Board of Peace" at Davos, said that Iran wanted to hold discussions. "Iran does wanna talk and we will talk," he said.
The US president's renewed talk of peace follows weeks of heightened tension with Iran, after he publicly threatened military action in response to Tehran’s violent suppression of some of the largest street protests in years, a crackdown that reportedly left thousands dead.
He also said he will hold back on further strikes, pointing to assurances that Iran’s leadership has paused the planned executions of more than 800 detained protesters.
Even as he signaled restraint, Trump framed his diplomacy as inseparable from pressure. In the run-up to unveiling his proposed Board of Peace, he reiterated his hardline posture toward Tehran, recalling his earlier warnings of strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last June, moves he claimed helped pave the way for the Israel, Hamas ceasefire.
A surge of demonstrations lasting about two weeks from late December posed a direct challenge to the clerical establishment led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the unrest has largely ebbed following a harsh crackdown that activists claim left thousands dead.
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