His remarks come amid growing European acknowledgment of the economic consequences of the conflict. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday that higher energy prices resulting from the war had cost Europe more than 100 billion euros ($112 billion) over the past eight months, calling for a diplomatic solution.
Speaking to reporters in Seoul, Merz said Germany was coordinating and intensifying diplomatic efforts to end the war.
“Businesses and consumers in Europe have paid more than 100 billion euros extra because energy has become more expensive as a result of this conflict,” he said, adding that Europe had an economic interest in ending the conflict as soon as possible.
Merz also stressed that the conflict could not be resolved through military means, saying: “This conflict cannot be resolved militarily.”
Similar figures have been cited by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and European Union energy officials, who have highlighted the rising costs of fossil fuel imports and the financial burden on consumers since the US-Israeli aggression began on February 28.
European citizens are increasingly bearing the economic consequences of the war, with the EU's fossil fuel import bill reportedly rising by around 100 billion euros amid disruptions associated with the conflict and Iran's defensive measures in the Strait of Hormuz.
Some EU lawmakers have also placed responsibility for the deepening crisis on Washington and Tel Aviv, criticizing the European Union's response to the developments.
Rezaei, a veteran commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) who served as its longest-serving chief during the Sacred Defense, currently holds the position of SNSC secretary and serves as the Leader's representative to the council.
He has repeatedly emphasized that Iran's resistance has imposed tangible costs on those responsible for the aggression. In recent remarks, he said that powers stronger than the United States had attempted to subdue Iran but had ultimately ended up in the “dustbin of history.” He also stressed that Tehran had not yet used the full range of its capabilities.
Rezaei's latest remarks reiterate Tehran's position that governments which supported or encouraged what Iran describes as an unprovoked US-Israeli war of aggression cannot expect to remain unaffected by its consequences.
Iranian officials have maintained that a lasting resolution requires an end to interventionist actions, recognition of Iran's legitimate security concerns, and fulfillment of Tehran's stated conditions, rather than attempts to shift the consequences of the conflict onto the Islamic Republic and its people.
Your Comment