Von der Leyen: ‘Too Early’ to Lift Iran Sanctions, Demands Fundamental Change on Human Rights
Reflecto News | Breaking News | EU-Iran Relations
BERLIN — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday firmly rejected any immediate lifting of sanctions on Iran, stating that Tehran must first demonstrate a “fundamental change” in its behavior, particularly regarding the suppression of human rights and women’s rights. Her comments served as a pointed rebuke to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had suggested the EU might consider sanctions relief in exchange for Iran reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz .
“We first have to see a change, a fundamental change in Iran for the dropping of sanctions.”
— Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
🛑 ‘We Think the Dropping of Sanctions Would Be Too Early’
Speaking at a meeting of the conservative CDU/CSU group in Berlin, von der Leyen underscored that the sanctions were imposed for a specific reason: Iran’s systematic suppression of its own population, not its nuclear program or regional military posture .
“We think that lifting sanctions would be premature,” von der Leyen said. “There is a reason why sanctions were imposed on Iran, namely its behavior toward its own population” .
The Commission President backed up her demand for a “fundamental change” with stark figures. She stated that in the January 2026 crackdown alone, the Iranian regime killed an estimated 17,000 young people .
“It is the repression of human rights and particularly women’s rights in Iran that triggered the sanctions. We need to see a fundamental change,” she reiterated .
📜 The Context: The January Crackdown & ‘Bloody Repression’
Von der Leyen’s rigid stance is grounded in the horrific events of January 2026. Following a fresh wave of anti-government protests, Iranian security forces engaged in what human rights organizations have described as one of the bloodiest months in the Islamic Republic’s history .
- Death Toll: The regime claimed its forces killed 3,117 people, but independent organizations dispute this. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates that security forces killed at least 7,000 people, with some reports suggesting the death toll could be above 17,000 .
- Arrests: HRANA reports that authorities have arrested more than 50,000 people during the nationwide protests .
- Executions: Even as diplomatic negotiations continue, Iran continues to use the death penalty as a tool of political oppression. A recent report by two European NGOs noted that Iran executed at least 1,639 people last year .
🗣️ The ‘Fundamental Change’: The Case of the Eight Women
Illustrating the kind of fundamental change von der Leyen seeks, just days before her speech, the international community watched a tense standoff regarding the execution of eight women .
President Donald Trump intervened, demanding the release of the women. Shortly after, Trump announced on Truth Social that the executions would not proceed, stating that four would be released immediately and four sentenced to one month in prison . While Iran’s judiciary denied the women were ever scheduled for execution, calling Trump’s claims “fake news,” human rights groups like HRANA and the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center confirmed the existence of death sentences .
One of those women, Bita Hemmati, was convicted of “participation in protest gatherings” in January, with charges including “throwing objects including bottles, concrete blocks, and incendiary materials” and “destruction of public property” .
❌ A Direct Rebuke of Chancellor Merz
Von der Leyen’s comments represent a significant public split with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, her nominal ally within the CDU/CSU political family.
Just weeks ago, Merz had floated the idea of linking sanctions relief directly to a re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this vital waterway, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes, is strangling European energy supplies and driving up prices .
While Merz appeared ready to prioritize energy security, von der Leyen drew a hard line, insisting that justice and human rights are non-negotiable prerequisites for any sanctions relief, regardless of the immediate economic pain Europe is feeling .
📉 EU’s ‘Comprehensive Approach’ to Iran
Despite her rejection of immediate relief, von der Leyen confirmed the EU remains committed to a “comprehensive policy approach” using all tools available to defend its interests and citizens . This has included ratcheting up pressure on Tehran throughout the war:
- March 2026: The Council adopted new restrictive measures against 16 individuals and three entities responsible for serious human rights violations, including senior IRGC commanders .
- February 2026: The Council finalized the listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization .
- Sanctions Extension: The EU recently extended its Iran sanctions regime until the end of 2027 .
🔮 What Comes Next
With the EU executive now at odds with the German Chancellor, the path forward on Iranian sanctions remains uncertain.
- No Quick Fix: Von der Leyen’s statement clearly indicates that there will be no “oil for sanctions relief” swap in the immediate future.
- Continued Isolation: The EU is likely to continue its policy of isolating the regime economically while punishing it diplomatically, standing with the “lionesses” of Iran—the women leading the fight for freedom .
As the Iran war continues to drain global resources and humanitarian crises deepen, the West remains fractured over how to handle a defiant and ruthless Tehran. While some call for economic pragmatism to solve the energy crisis, von der Leyen insists that the EU’s soul is tied to its defense of human dignity.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Core Statement | Lifting sanctions is “premature” without a “fundamental change” in Iran |
| Reason for Sanctions | Repression of human rights & women’s rights (not nuclear issue) |
| Death Toll Reference | Von der Leyen cited 17,000 “young people” killed in Jan 2026 crackdown |
| The Eight Women | Trump secured stay of execution; human rights groups confirm death sentences existed |
| Political Impact | Direct rebuke of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz |
| EU Strategy | Continued “comprehensive approach” (terrorist listing of IRGC, asset freezes) |
| Status of Hormuz | Reopening strait does not merit sanctions relief; human rights come first |
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