EU Says Iran Must Show ‘Fundamental Change’ Before Sanctions Relief

UK PM Calls Emergency Cobra Meeting Over Iran Conflict

27/04/2026

BERLIN, Apr 27: Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that it is too early to consider lifting sanctions on Iran, stressing that any easing of restrictions would require what she described as a “fundamental change” in Tehran’s policies.

Speaking in Berlin, von der Leyen said the sanctions were originally imposed over Iran’s crackdown on its own population, adding that progress would be needed before any review of the measures.

“We first have to see a change, a fundamental change in Iran for the dropping of sanctions,” she said.

Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he will chair an emergency Cobra committee meeting on Tuesday to assess the economic and security impact of the ongoing Iran conflict.

Starmer said the meeting will include officials from the Bank of England, emphasizing the government’s focus on protecting workers and economic stability during the crisis.

The developments come amid growing international concern over the widening geopolitical and economic fallout from tensions involving Iran.