Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated that any future agreement with Iran must ensure safe and permanent passage through the Strait of Hormuz without fees, while also addressing Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
Her remarks signal a shift in tone from Europe, which until recently had largely avoided taking a hard line against Tehran’s destabilizing actions in the region.
However, the timing raises serious questions. For years, European powers pursued engagement and economic ties with Iran, even as concerns mounted over its nuclear ambitions and regional aggression. Efforts led by Donald Trump to pressure Iran economically and diplomatically were often resisted or undermined by key European actors.
Now, as joint US-Israeli pressure appears to be yielding results, European leaders are increasingly presenting themselves as stakeholders in shaping the outcome—despite their earlier reluctance to support stronger measures.
