TEHRAN – European states have lost significant clout on the international stage since their involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war—a conflict that could have been avoided if NATO had honored its pledge of eastern non-expansion. The war has devastated European economies and left them in an increasingly precarious security position, while Washington has benefited by selling oil to Europe at higher prices, weakening its most important rival after China, and positioning itself to let Europe bear the cost of a losing war until Ukraine collapses.

Analysts argue that European states find themselves in this position because they lacked agency and followed Washington’s interests rather than their own. However, these leaders appear to have yet to grasp the importance of an independent foreign policy. Last year, they lost their role in Iran’s nuclear negotiations by reinstating pre-JCPOA UN sanctions against Iran at Washington’s urging. Now, they are risking an unnecessary escalation with Iran to appease Washington and advance the U.S.-backed colonial project in the region: Israel.

In recent days, European leaders have aligned with American and Israeli officials in backing armed rioters who derailed peaceful protests initiated by Iran’s businesspeople over economic hardship, framing them as freedom fighters demanding better living conditions. They have issued statements supporting the killing of security personnel and civilians, and the destruction of cities by armed terrorists last Thursday and Friday.

This week, they took a further step to demonstrate their unwavering support for any American project—however illegal or deadly—by passing a resolution. The European Parliament, on Monday, announced it would bar Iranian diplomats from entering its premises, citing solidarity with Iranian “protesters.” It remains unclear whether they are referring to the initial economic protesters or the armed militants. If the former, a far more effective and humane response would be to call on the U.S. to lift its intensifying sanctions—the root cause of Iran’s economic crisis—rather than bar diplomats.

The political weaponization of the protests becomes even clearer when one considers that Europe has refused to take similar measures against Israeli diplomats, despite Israel’s killing of over 70,000 men, women, and children in Gaza over the past two years. This point was highlighted by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who addressed the move on X, noting that months of “genocide in Gaza” had failed to prompt “any real action” by the European Parliament.

“Iran does not seek enmity with the EU,” he wrote, “but will reciprocate any restriction.”

In another post, Araghchi responded to remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding Iran’s handling of domestic security incidents while expressing support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza. He also reminded Merz of his reaction to Israel’s killing of over 1,000 Iranians last year.

“Iranians also recall Mr. Merz’s repugnant hailing of Israel when it bombed homes and businesses in our country last summer,” the minister said. “That unprovoked and unlawful violence, the German Chancellor insisted, was Israel doing Europe a favor by carrying out its ‘dirty work’. Do us all a favor: have some shame.”

In another development, the Iranian embassy in London shared a post on X on Tuesday, detailing a meeting between Ambassador Ali Mousavi and British Deputy Foreign Secretary Hamish Falconer. The ambassador briefed Falconer on the latest unrest in Iran, urging the British government not to fall into a trap of “political deception” and a “dangerous plot” by the Israeli regime to escalate tensions in West Asia, the embassy explained.

Iran’s future steps against Europe’s growing subordination to U.S. goals remains unclear. Critics argue that Iranians must consider more assertive measures against both the U.S. and European states, which, despite no apparent interests, have continuously supported Washington’s anti-Tehran agenda. Iran’s geographic proximity to Europe and its close ties with Russia may ultimately factor into its options in response to the continent’s hostile and unproductive actions—analysts speculate this could unfold over the longer term.