Iran has criticised the European Union (EU) for supporting additional US economic pressure against Tehran, accusing the bloc of abandoning its claim of pursuing an independent foreign policy.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Monday in a post on X while responding to an EU statement issued during the G20 finance meeting.
The EU had welcomed efforts aimed at pressuring Iran to end what it described as destabilising activities and engage in good-faith negotiations towards peace.
The bloc also backed additional economic measures, including the US-led “Operation Economic Outcast”, saying the pressure was intended to encourage Iran to change its conduct and promote regional stability.
Baghaei criticised the position, arguing that Europe was simply aligning itself with Washington rather than making independent decisions.
“Europe can no longer speak of ‘strategic autonomy’ while merely executing Washington’s orders.”
The Iranian official said the EU’s position contradicted its repeated claims of strategic autonomy and demonstrated its growing alignment with US policy.
The EU, however, called for continued diplomacy with Iran, saying dialogue remained necessary to promote regional stability and protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The bloc said it remained prepared to introduce further measures and maintain pressure on Tehran alongside the United States and other partners, while continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.
The latest dispute comes amid an intensified US pressure campaign against Iran.
On August 19, US President Donald Trump announced what he described as the “most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country”, signalling a major escalation in Washington’s efforts to pressure Tehran.
Trump also warned that countries providing economic support to Iran would face “tremendous economic consequences”, as his administration seeks to further isolate Iran economically and discourage international cooperation with Tehran.
Source: NAN.
