00:00society. This is not Europe's war, but Europe's interests are directly at stake. As this war
00:09expands, the EU's priority remains the protection of our citizens. Middle East, two weeks of war
00:16have degraded Iran's military capabilities, but also generated damaging security and economic
00:24shockwaves. Iran is now waging war on global economy. Ministers reaffirmed today that our focus
00:31is de-escalation and also to the freedom of navigation. I also discussed with UN Secretary
00:44General Guterres and many others over the past days how to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Europe
00:51has no interest in an open-ended war. Following the regime's deadly crackdown in January, the EU
01:00designated Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. And today we imposed additional
01:06sanctions on those responsible for the violence. And this sends a message to Tehran that Iran's
01:13future cannot be built on repression. We must step up our support also to Iranian civil society.
01:20This is not Europe's war, but Europe's interests are directly at stake. As this war expands, the EU's
01:29priority remains the protection of our citizens. We have evacuated more than 30,000 from the region,
01:37many on the flights also funded and organized by the European Union. Now, restarting the shipments of
01:48fertilizers, food and energy through the Strait of Hormuz is another urgent priority. Today we discussed
01:55options to better protect the shipping in the region. EU already has naval operations in place. We have
02:05a speed as that plays a key role in safeguarding the freedom of navigation. There was in our discussions
02:14a clear wish to strengthen this operation. But for the time being, there was no appetite in changing
02:22the mandate of the Operation Aspides for now. While the Strait of Hormuz is at the center stage,
02:31the Red Sea also remains critical. The risk that Houthis get involved is real, so we must remain vigilant.
02:41Then, in Lebanon, Hezbollah has dragged the country into a war that is not its own. The Lebanese people are
02:50paying the price for Hezbollah's attacks. But Israel's heavy-handed response has caused mass displacement,
02:58and ground invasion will further deteriorate the situation. The EU will provide 100 million euro in
03:06humanitarian aid to Lebanon. We also continue to support the Lebanese armed forces to disarm Hezbollah.
03:13The situation in Gaza and West Bank is also worsening rapidly. Both the humanitarian situation
03:21and the political horizon are moving to the wrong direction. Progress on implementing the Gaza peace plan
03:27has been stalled. And EU will continue to press for improved humanitarian access, de-escalation, and also support
03:38for Palestinian authorities' reforms. And next month, I will co-chair a global alliance meeting to address all these issues.
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