Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has called on European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen to stop what he described as 'hypocrisy.' The statement came on March 10, 2026, following von der Leyen’s comment that the people of Iran deserve freedom, dignity, and the right to determine their own future.

In response to a video of her remarks, Baghaei accused von der Leyen of building her career by standing on the wrong side of history and giving approval to occupation, genocide, and atrocities. He further alleged that she was now attempting to legitimize U.S. and Israeli aggression and war crimes against Iranians. Baghaei also criticized the EU leadership for remaining silent in the face of violations of the rule of law and acts of brutality, saying such silence amounted to complicity.

The exchange highlights continuing tensions between Iran and the European Union over human rights and geopolitical issues, with Tehran accusing Western leaders of double standards in their approach to regional conflicts.