Iran accuses EU of hypocrisy as war tensions rise
Iran has accused the European Union of hypocrisy over its criticism of Iran’s human rights record.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks in response to comments by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Baghaei said the EU could not claim to defend human rights while, in Iran’s view, supporting military actions against the country.
He accused European governments of providing logistical and technical assistance that Iran says has helped attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure.
Baghaei also criticised the EU for what he described as its failure to condemn attacks on Iran. He said European officials had not shown enough concern over Iranian civilians, including children, killed during the conflict.
He said the EU’s position had damaged its credibility and called its approach hypocritical.
The accusations come as the conflict between Iran and the United States enters another dangerous phase.
US President Donald Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington next Tuesday. The meeting is expected to focus heavily on the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The announcement comes after another wave of US military strikes against targets in Iran.
Trump has continued to threaten stronger military action while also keeping the possibility of negotiations open. He said Washington is currently talking with Tehran and suggested that Iranian officials appear more serious about negotiations than before.
At the same time, Trump warned that the US military remains prepared for further action.
He said Washington faces two possible paths. One is to continue expanding military operations. The other is to reach a diplomatic agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the crisis. The strategic waterway is a major route for global energy supplies.
The conflict has already disrupted shipping and pushed oil prices higher. It has also raised concerns about inflation and a wider global economic slowdown.
The situation has become more complicated with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The group has declared a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia and has threatened commercial shipping.
A Saudi vessel suffered minor damage in a Red Sea attack on Friday, according to Saudi state media. The Saudi-led coalition later said it had carried out strikes against Houthi military positions in Yemen.
The reports could not be independently verified.
Iran has also issued increasingly strong warnings to US forces in the region.
The US military has carried out air strikes against Iran for several consecutive nights. Iran’s Health Ministry said dozens of people had been killed and hundreds wounded since fighting resumed in late June.
Iranian military officials have also threatened retaliation against US personnel for Iranian casualties.
The conflict has already resulted in US military deaths and injuries, according to American officials.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is exploring possible diplomatic channels to help revive stalled talks between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistani officials have reportedly held exploratory discussions as international efforts increase to find a way out of the conflict. China has also been pushing for renewed negotiations.
The fighting is also affecting global energy markets and shipping routes.
Oil prices surged after attacks on Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea. Brent crude later fell but remained close to $100 a barrel.
Several tankers have reportedly changed their routes because of security concerns around the Red Sea. Some vessels are taking longer routes through the Suez Canal and around Africa.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also fallen sharply.
Iran has meanwhile claimed attacks on US military positions in Kuwait and other parts of the Gulf. Kuwait said its air defence systems were responding to hostile targets launched from Iran.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also claimed to have damaged a surveillance facility associated with the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain
