Finance
Too Early to Talk About Sanctions Relief for Iran, EU Leaders Say
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 24, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 24, 2026
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EU Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it's too early to discuss easing Iran sanctions despite German Chancellor Merz’s note that relief could follow a comprehensive deal; EU focus remains on current pressures, including energy and regional security.
EU Leaders Say Sanctions Relief for Iran Is Premature After Cyprus Meeting
EU Leaders Discuss Sanctions on Iran at Cyprus Summit
Statements from EU Officials
EU Council President's Position
NICOSIA, April 24 (Reuters) - It is too early to talk about relieving any kind of sanctions on Iran, EU Council President Antonio Costa told a joint press conference on Friday after a meeting of EU leaders in Cyprus.
EU Commission President's Remarks
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made similar comments.
German Chancellor's Perspective
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had said after the meeting that EU leaders were willing to gradually ease sanctions on Iran in the event that a comprehensive agreement is reached.
Reporting and Editing
(Reporting by Bart Meijer, editing by Ingrid Melander)
Key Takeaways
- •EU leaders including António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen emphasize that it’s premature to consider sanctions relief for Iran amid the ongoing regional instability (global.chinadaily.com.cn)
- •German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled that sanctions could be gradually eased only if a comprehensive agreement is reached, underscoring a conditional and cautious EU posture (reddit.com)
- •The EU meeting in Nicosia comes amid wider concerns over energy security, rising prices, and regional fallout from Iran-related tensions, reinforcing a stance of strategic autonomy and pressure continuity (global.chinadaily.com.cn)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Too early to talk about sanctions relief for Iran, EU leaders say
1What did EU Council President Antonio Costa say about sanctions on Iran?
He stated it is too early to talk about relieving any kind of sanctions on Iran.
2What was discussed at the EU leaders' meeting in Cyprus?
EU leaders discussed the possibility of easing sanctions on Iran, contingent on a comprehensive agreement.
3Did the EU Commission President agree with Costa's comments?
Yes, Ursula von der Leyen made similar comments about the timing of sanctions relief.
4What did German Chancellor Friedrich Merz say after the meeting?
He said EU leaders were willing to gradually ease sanctions on Iran if a comprehensive agreement is reached.
