The European Union (EU) on Monday (June 8, 2026) imposed sanctions on the navy unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and two Iranian individuals. They are accused of supporting measures to restrict freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. This is the first time the European Union has used its new powers to impose sanctions against Iran for hindering freedom of maritime navigation.

The Council of the European Union has already listed the Hormozgan Provincial Command of the IRGC Navy as banned by the EU. It said it helps manage a system in which ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz are required to provide identification, cargo and destination information, which can be used to decide whether ships are allowed to pass.

Which two people were banned by the EU?

Apart from this, the European Union (EU) has also banned Mohammad Akbarzadeh, Deputy Commander and Spokesperson for Political Affairs of IRGC Navy, and Hamid Hosseini, Representative of Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters Union and member of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce.

The Middle East is stuck in phases of peace talks and fragile ceasefires.

Tehran’s drones continue to threaten maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Ministers were clear that Iran’s actions are unacceptable.
In response, EU Member States in Brussels today sanctioned… pic.twitter.com/OJcvCknTFe

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) June 8, 2026

EU foreign policy chief speaks on Iran ban

According to Reuters report, in this regard, European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kalas said in a press conference held in Cyprus, ‘Such actions of Iran will not be accepted in any form. In response, member countries have approved imposing sanctions on Iranian institutions and people that obstruct ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

He said, ‘This is the first time that the European Union has used its new Freedom of Navigation framework and we will use it further if needed.’

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European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaza Kallas and Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met. During this, on Monday (1 June 2026), many issues including bilateral strategic talks, trade were discussed. At a joint press conference, Kallas said that Pakistan is a major regional power and an important partner for the EU.

Pakistan has the right to defend itself: EU

Kaza Kallas said that according to international law, Pakistan has the right to protect itself and its people. This statement of the EU foreign policy chief is also being considered controversial because Pakistan has been continuously promoting and sheltering terrorists against India. Last year, India conducted Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack and destroyed many terrorist hideouts located in Pakistan-PoK. After this there was a war between the two countries for 4 days.

Kaja Kallas also mentioned the Pakistan-Afghanistan war in his speech. He said, ‘Pakistan is currently embroiled in a war with Afghanistan. Several wars in recent months have had serious humanitarian consequences, threatening further instability and radicalisation. This is why we have continuously appealed to both sides to exercise restraint and reduce tension. Peace can be restored only through dialogue.

EU statement regarding Iran-America war

According to the report of Pakistani newspaper Dawn, he said, ‘With the support of Pakistan, there is now a delicate diplomatic opportunity to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Despite this, any temporary agreement between America and Iran should be followed by in-depth talks on Iran’s nuclear stockpile and other important issues. The European Union is ready to contribute to a lasting and peaceful solution.

Kaja Kallas said, ‘European Union is still the biggest export destination for Pakistan. In fact, it is bigger than both China and America combined. Pakistan is the largest beneficiary in the world of the EU’s trade preferences scheme GSP+. We are also expanding cooperation in many other areas including climate resilience, digital infrastructure, clean energy, migration and mobility.

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Amid tensions with America in the Middle East, Iran has made sharp remarks against the European Union (EU) on Sunday (April 19, 2026) regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Along with this, Iran has also accused the European Union of having a double character amid the increasing tension related to the US-Iran war.

Iran angry at European Union’s stance

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Bagai targeted European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, saying that Europe uses international law selectively. He said, ‘Hey, the same international law?! The same law which the European Union uses only to preach to others, while on the other hand it is silently giving green signal to the aggressive war between America and Israel. Stop preaching.

Oh, that ‘international law’?! The one that the EU dusts off to lecture others while quietly green-lighting a US-Israeli war of aggression—and looking the other way on atrocities against Iranians?!

Save the sermons; Europe’s chronic failure to practice what it preaches has… https://t.co/Xv26JrZRnO

— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) April 18, 2026

Commenting on Kallas, Bagai termed this stance of Europe as the height of hypocrisy. He emphasized that Iran, as a coastal country, has the right to regulate the movement of ships in strategic waterways. During this time, he has also rejected the demands of movement through the strait without restrictions.

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There is no rule to stop Iran from taking necessary steps – Bagai

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bagai stressed, ‘Tehran has the full right to take action in the Strait of Hormuz and no rule of international law prevents Iran from taking necessary steps to prevent the Strait of Hormuz from being used to escalate military aggression against Iran.

He has also rejected the concept of free passage in the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz. He said, ‘Transit passage in Hormuz without any conditions? This fabricated story was debunked at the same time when the aggression of America and Israel had brought American military assets back into the Strait.

What did the European Union say about Iran??

In fact, this statement of the Iranian Foreign Ministry came when EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said that the movement of international ships through major sea routes should be completely open and free. He also said that any pay-for passage scheme would set a dangerous precedent for global sea lanes.

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European Union (EU) foreign policy chief and European Commission vice-president Kaja Kallas has issued a stern warning on the growing differences between America and Europe. He has said that China and Russia are getting the most benefit from the division between the allied countries (America and European NATO members).

Russia-China enjoy the fight between NATO allies

On January 18, 2026, Kaja Kailas posted on social media platform X and wrote, ‘China and Russia must be having a lot of fun right now. They are the ones who benefit the most from divisions among allied countries.

He further wrote that if there is any threat to the security of Greenland, then this issue should be resolved within NATO itself. Instead of escalating rhetoric or controversy on different forums, allied countries should find solutions within the NATO framework.

Tariffs will increase poverty on both sides

Kaja Callas also commented on US President Donald Trump’s tariff threat. He said, ‘Imposing tariffs will make both Europe and America poorer. This will weaken our shared prosperity and deepen the rift in trans-Atlantic relations (US-Europe).

Trade conflict weakens the economic strength of allied countries, which is taken advantage of by opposing powers (such as China and Russia).

China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies.

If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.

Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity.

We also…

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 17, 2026

Don’t get distracted by Ukraine war

The most important thing Kallas said was that any dispute between America and Europe should not divert attention from the ongoing strategic fight against Russia. He stressed, ‘Our main goal is to help end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Mutual differences should not become an obstacle to this goal.

Why did this warning come from EU?

This statement has come after Trump’s recent decision. Trump has demanded full inclusion of Greenland into America. If Denmark (to which Greenland belongs) and other European countries do not make a deal, they have announced to impose an additional 10% tariff on 8 NATO allies namely Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, Netherlands and Finland from 1 February 2026. It may increase up to 25% by June 2026. Trump is calling it an issue of national and global security.

This has increased tensions among NATO allies and poses a danger of weakening Western solidarity. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland. EU Council President Antonio Costa called for respect for international law and a united response from the EU.

India has taken a historic decision for Republic Day 2026. This time the top leaders of the European Union (EU), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will be invited as chief guests. This will be the first time that two top leaders of an international organization will together attend this prestigious national function of India. Both the leaders will reach New Delhi in January 2026, which is considered a symbol of giving a new direction and strengthening to the deepening strategic, economic and diplomatic relations between India and the European Union.

According to the Indian Express report, sources have said that the process of inviting European Union (EU) leaders as the chief guests of Republic Day 2026 is in the final stages. New Delhi and Brussels will soon announce this formal invitation and acceptance. Inviting a foreign leader as the chief guest on Republic Day is considered an important and symbolic step in India’s foreign policy. This selection is not just a formality, but it reflects India’s strategic, economic and geopolitical priorities.

Who was the chief guest in 2025?

India celebrates Republic Day every year on 26 January, which commemorates the implementation of the Constitution in 1950. This event is a symbol of India’s democratic heritage and international friendship. Till now, heads of state or government of many countries have been the chief guests of this function. In 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest, while hosting two top EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa in 2026 will add a new chapter to India’s diplomatic history.

New strength in India-European Union relations

There has been significant progress in relations between India and the 27-member European Union in the last few months. After the visit of top representatives of the European Commission to India in February, dialogue and cooperation between the two sides has gained momentum. On October 20, the European Union approved a new strategic agenda, which aims to take India-EU relations to a new level. This agenda includes finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), promoting cooperation in technical, defence, security and public relations sectors.

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