UPDATES WITH SPEECH BY EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE
By Melike Pala
BRUSSELS (AA) - The European Commission on Tuesday proposed new restrictions on exports of critical components that could be used by Iran to produce drones and missiles, while preparing additional sanctions in response to what it called Tehran's "brutal suppression" of protesters.
Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Iranian authorities' violent response to citizens "demanding their rights."
"The human rights situation in Iran has been severe for years, particularly the appalling pace of executions and the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders, but (what) we are witnessing now is of different magnitude. Citizens demanding rights are met with batons and bullets," Kallas said.
She announced the EU Commission's proposed new measures, which would restrict exports of components that could be used in drone and missile production. "This will further limit Iran's ability to feed Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine," she said.
"In addition to that, we are working on new sanctions in response to Iran's authorities’ brutal repression of protesters and to support the Iranian people's legitimate demands," she added.
Iran has seen waves of protests in Tehran since last month over the sharp depreciation of the Iranian currency the rial and worsening economic conditions. Demonstrations later spread to several other cities.
The death toll from protests in Iran has risen to 4,029, according to the latest data from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). A total of 26,015 have been arrested as of the 23rd day of nationwide protests in the country, the group reported.
- 'Sovereignty is not for trade'
Earlier Tuesday, Kallas reiterated EU's support for Greenland and Denmark in defending their territorial integrity, stressing that sovereignty cannot be treated as a bargaining chip.
"Greenland belongs to its people. No threat or tariffs will change that. Sovereignty is not for trade," she told the European Parliament during debate over recent US remarks on Greenland, adding that the EU's response must remain calm, unified, and grounded in international law.
Kallas stressed that no country has the right to take over the territory of another. "Not in Ukraine, not in Greenland, not anywhere in the world," she said, underscoring the EU’s commitment to a rules-based international order.
She noted that discussions over Greenland’s future are being held directly between Denmark and Greenland, and that external pressures or threats are counterproductive.
"They only risk making both Europe and the United States poorer and undermining our shared prosperity," she said, referring to the recent tariff threats by US President Donald Trump.
"We have no interest in picking a fight, but we will hold our ground. Europe has a slate of tools to protect its interests," she added.
The Arctic is emerging as a new frontier for geostrategic competition. As Arctic ice melts, Kallas warned, there is a growing risk that Russia and China will expand their presence in the region.
"If there are concerns about Greenland's security, NATO is well suited to address them," she said, pointing out that over the past week, several European countries have sent military personnel on a mission to Greenland.
"This presence is aimed at keeping the region safe, predictable, and stable, it poses threats to no one. Because the defense and protection of Greenland is a common concern for Europe and the entire NATO alliance," she added.
On Saturday, Trump said Washington would impose 10% tariffs on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting on Feb. 1 and rising to 25% in June until there is a deal for "the complete and total purchase of Greenland."
In response, European leaders rejected Trump's tariff threats against the eight European nations, and reiterated solidarity with Denmark.
Critics say Trump’s drive to acquire Greenland threatens to tear apart the Western alliance, which is what China and Russia want most. They add that the US could easily defend Greenland from outside threats using existing treaties allowing numerous US bases and forces on the island.