Europe must choose between independence or subservience to US: Iran’s Foreign Ministry
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says Europe cannot claim strategic autonomy while following US policy.
- Baghaei urged European governments to make independent decisions, even when they differ from Washington.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Europe must choose between acting independently and continuing to follow US policy.
In a post on X, Baghaei invoked French political philosopher Étienne de La Boétie’s Discourse of Voluntary Servitude, arguing that domination can persist through the acquiescence of those capable of acting independently.
“Europe can no longer speak of ‘strategic autonomy’ while merely executing Washington’s orders,” Baghaei wrote.
Baghaei said strategic autonomy could not be achieved through declarations alone, arguing that European countries must have the ability to make independent and responsible decisions, even when those decisions differ from those of a major power.
“Europe must choose: to behave like an independent actor, or to grow so accustomed to echoing another’s policies that it mistakes that echo for autonomy,” he said.
His comments come amid heightened tensions between Iran, the US and European governments over the broader regional crisis, with Tehran repeatedly criticizing European alignment with Washington’s policies.
