EU diplomats criticise von der Leyen for diplomatic overreach in Iran crisis

Several EU diplomats and officials have criticised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for exceeding her authority and attempting to position herself as the EU’s chief international representative, particularly amid the crisis involving Iran, Politico reports, citing sources.

According to the report, several EU diplomats expressed discontent with von der Leyen’s actions. In the early days of the crisis, she supported a regime change in Tehran and conducted over a dozen talks with Gulf state leaders. Critics said these actions went beyond the consensus among EU member states.

One key complaint was that von der Leyen appeared to take over the role of EU foreign service chief Kaia Kallas, responsible for coordinating the bloc’s common foreign policy. “She says things that are beyond her mandate,” a European diplomat told the publication.

The European Commission rejected the allegations, stating that von der Leyen’s actions are within her role on foreign policy and that engagement with world leaders is part of her duties. However, the report notes concern over the lack of a unified EU position on issues such as support for Iran and EU expansion.