High-ranking European Union diplomat Kaia Kallas commented on the recent threats from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding possible strikes on cities and countries in Europe in response to defensive actions by European states.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Assessment of Iran’s Potential and EU Reaction
Kallas emphasized that Iran’s capabilities have their limits, especially if the country does not receive support from its main allies. She also pointed out that the American side has already outlined its objectives, which include the destruction of missile launchers and missile production facilities in Iran. Therefore, according to Kallas, Iran’s potential to cause harm is more limited than officials in Tehran are attempting to portray.
“Iran’s capabilities are not limitless, especially if its major allies do not provide support. As the Americans have also stated, their target is missile launchers and missile factories. So, Iran’s ability to cause harm may also be more limited than they are trying to show. Therefore, this is always also a battle of narratives,” Kallas said in an interview with Radio Free Europe.
She refrained from commenting on reports of an Iranian drone reaching a British airbase in Cyprus, but which did not cause significant damage.
Europe’s Security and New Defense Initiatives
Kaia Kallas endorsed France’s decision to extend its nuclear “umbrella” to other countries in Europe. She emphasized the importance of further discussions on common security issues and strengthening the defense capabilities of European countries, noting that these issues are increasingly coming to the forefront of the agenda.
In light of the armed conflict in the Middle East, Kallas highlighted the risks associated with disruptions to supply chains, trade routes, and the potential increase in migration pressure on Europe from Iran. She stressed that these threats require serious consideration when shaping the EU’s security and migration policy.
At the end of February, a joint operation by the US and Israel resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as a large number of high-ranking officials of the Iranian regime. In response, Iranian military forces carried out massive missile and drone attacks not only against Israel and US facilities in the region but also against several neighboring countries, which Tehran considers allies of the United States.
On March 3, Iran warned European countries of the consequences of any involvement in the war against the country, declaring that defensive actions by Europeans would be regarded as “an act of war” with retaliation against European cities.
According to the human rights organization HRANA, from February 28 to March 3, 1,097 deaths among the civilian population and 5,402 injuries, including children, were documented in Iran. There are also reports of numerous strikes on military bases, medical facilities, and residential areas across the country. During the Iranian attacks, six American soldiers were killed, and there are casualties among the civilian populations of neighboring countries.