One month ago - on Arpil 13rd, the long-running shadow war between Israel and Iran came to full light: In response to the Israeli bombardment of one of its diplomatic buildings in Damascus, Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack against Israel, to which the latter responded with carefully calibrated strikes inside Iran. Even though both sides have refrained from further escalation for now, the reciprocal assaults on each other’s territory mark a turning point for the Middle East. 

For the European Union, these developments represent a formidable challenge: While it has long been a champion of robust diplomacy vis-à-vis Iran’s nuclear program, it understands the acute threat of Tehran’s military cooperation with Russia, in particular for Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Now, a new front threatens to open on Europe’s doorstep, possibly involving other regional and global powers – all while the suffering in Gaza continues without the perspective of a long-term solution. 

During the discussion Europe and Iran on Thursday May 16th from 11.30 to 12.30, Dr George Tzogopoulos, CIFE Institute, and Dr Cornelius Adebahr, Political Analyst and author of Europe and Iran. The Nuclear Deal and Beyond (Routledge 2017) will focus on the European strategy towards Iran in this new regional and international environment. In so doing, they will endeavor to analyze how the EU could better respond to existing risks, prevent further escalation, and contribute to a broader regional settlement. 

This event is only on invitation. 

For more information please contact Patricia.Liberatore@kas.de