Tsahkna to EU foreign ministers: pressure on the Iranian regime must continue

The discussion covered the possible impact of the conflict on Europe, including energy security, energy prices, and freedom of transport and navigation. “At present, the most important issue is the safety of our citizens and clarity as to how and when they can leave the region, as several countries have closed their airspace due to the conflict,” Tsahkna stressed, adding that diplomatic efforts are continuing to prevent the conflict from spreading further across the region. Tsahkna also emphasised that freedom of transport and navigation through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz must be ensured.

“We have consistently stressed that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons and have expressed serious concern about Iran’s destabilising activities, which threaten both regional and broader international security and have continued despite international efforts,” Tsahkna said, adding that the EU has imposed sanctions on Iran for good reason. “Estonia supports European Union sanctions against the Iranian regime for grave human rights violations, including brutal repression that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, as well as for its support to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, which poses a direct threat to Europe,” Tsahkna said. “Israel and the United States have shown that they are prepared to stand up to regimes that threaten regional and global security. Pressure on Iran must not subside until the country abandons its aggressive foreign policy and ends the oppression of its own people, and in this the United States and Israel must be supported. The Iranian people must have the opportunity to shape their own future.”

Tsahkna condemned Iran’s attacks against Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Jordan and stressed that Estonia stands in solidarity with them.

“The death of Ayatollah Khamenei may open a new era for the Iranian people, who have suffered for too long under the regime’s violent repression,” Tsahkna said.

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