Brussels, March 9, 2026 – European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated today that the recent strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran present a “window of opportunity for change,” whereas simultaneously urging the European Union to bolster support for Iranians “fighting for freedom.” Metsola’s remarks came during the opening of the EU’s annual ambassadors conference in Brussels, a gathering of approximately 145 EU ambassadors and heads of delegation.
Metsola condemned recent attacks originating from Iran in the Gulf region, framing the current situation as a pivotal moment. “We are in a new world, a more dangerous, more uncertain world,” she said, emphasizing the need for the EU to project itself as a “credible actor.”
The call for increased support for the Iranian people follows a recent decision by Metsola to ban Iranian diplomats from entering the European Parliament. The ban, announced in a letter to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on Monday, applies to all Parliament buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg, as well as its secretariat in Luxembourg. Anyone identified as working for the Iranian regime will be denied access, a move taken in response to the regime’s crackdown on protesters.
Prior to Metsola’s address, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, declared that the world is at a “tipping point” regarding diplomacy and international law. Kallas acknowledged the difficulties faced by EU ambassadors stationed in the Middle East and the Gulf, many of whom were unable to attend the conference due to the volatile regional situation.
The ambassadors conference will also feature addresses from President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The meetings are scheduled to continue through Friday.
At the Munich Security Conference in February 2026, Metsola participated in a town hall discussion examining Iran’s internal crisis and its regional implications, alongside U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and Riyadh Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The discussion, moderated by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, focused on the challenges facing Iran and potential pathways forward.
Metsola has previously suggested that the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could mark a turning point towards freedom in Iran, after nearly five decades of religious rule. She has also called for further EU sanctions against Iran in response to the ongoing suppression of protests.
