Marc Botenga Calls Out Support for War on Iran in EU Parliament
European Digital Policy Initiative
Mar 11, 2026
Marc Botenga (MEP) in the European Parliament plenary debate on “The US-Israel military operation against the Iranian regime, its consequences and the need to support the people of Iran” on 11 March 2026.
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In this intervention, Botenga condemns support for the military operation against Iran and challenges claims that such action is being carried out in the name of the Iranian people. He points to civilian casualties, including children, refers to the use of European bases, and warns about the long-term human and environmental consequences of the conflict.
He also argues that bombing campaigns do not bring democracy, drawing comparisons with Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Iraq. The speech closes with a broader condemnation of war, destruction and the human cost borne by civilians.
This clip is from the Strasbourg plenary debate in the European Parliament and focuses on one of the sharpest anti-war interventions in the discussion on Iran, Western military action and the consequences for civilians.
Chapters
00:00 Support for war challenged
00:07 Child victim invoked
00:18 European bases accused
00:26 Toxic fires in Tehran
00:39 “Stand with the people?”
00:42 Cultural heritage warning
00:48 Iraq Libya Syria comparison
