The West and democrats and liberals around the world must stand with the
Iranian people and support the military operation led by the United States and Israel aimed at destroying the Iranian regime's ballistic missile capabilities and preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons. The Iranian regime is one of the greatest destabilising forces in the world and has long tried to organise attacks on our territory. The fall of the mullahs' regime is a condition for stabilising the region but also for guaranteeing our security.
Context
On Saturday 28 February 2026, Israel and the United States carried out several strikes against Iran aimed at destroying the Iranian regime's ballistic missile capabilities, bringing down the mullahs' regime and preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes on the complex where he was located. Since then, Iran has retaliated by launching missiles and drones towards civilian areas in Israel and has also attacked Gulf countries (Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain) as well as Cyprus.
Some criticise this intervention on the grounds of international law, but it is important to look back at the situation in Iran and, in particular, at its authoritarian regime. International law must not be used to shield dictators.
Since 1979, Iran has been an authoritarian Islamic republic whose constitution is based on Sharia law. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei since 1989, holds all the power.
The Iranian regime is also made up of the Revolutionary Guards, the regime's ideological army. They are considered a state within the state: with 150,000 men, they work to defend the regime and Iranian Islamist ideology.
This Iranian organisation is an instrument of repression for the regime, as seen for example during the 2022 protests following the death in custody of a young Iranian Kurdish woman who had been arrested for failing to comply with the very strict dress code imposed on Iranian women. The protests were then violently suppressed. By late 2025 and early this year, it is estimated that there were 30,000 deaths in the regime's deadly crackdown on protests against its own people.
The EU placed the Revolutionary Guards on its list of terrorist organisations in late January 2026. This demonstrates (since unanimity among member states was required for this decision) the firm stance of European countries against the mullahs' regime and the desire to see a change of regime.
Finally, the condition of women in Iran remains deeply concerning. For decades, Iranian women have been subjected to a legal and political system that severely restricts their fundamental freedoms. Despite brutal repression by the regime, many women continue to resist and demand their rights, often at the risk of their freedom and their lives. The law imposing the mandatory wearing of the veil, which applies to girls from the age of seven, is one of the most visible manifestations of this oppression.
MR position: support for the Iranian people and for the operation carried out in Iran by the United States and Israel aimed at bringing down the bloodthirsty mullahs' regime
For the MR, the operation led by the United States and Israel must be supported by democrats and liberals worldwide. The Iranian regime remains one of the main sources of destabilisation of world peace and is also trying to organise attacks on our territory.
No one wants war, but it is sometimes necessary to guarantee peace. Without outside support, Iranians will not be able to succeed. The whole of the West, Europe and Belgium must stand with the United States and Israel and support their action. The fall of the mullahs' regime is a condition for stabilising the region but also for guaranteeing our security.
The aim is to hand power back to the population as quickly as possible so that they can choose their own representatives. For the MR, Belgium must support military interventions and provide diplomatic responses to guarantee the transition.
Furthermore, for the MR, the Iranian ambassador on our territory must be expelled. We must also revoke without delay the prisoner exchange agreement with Iran.
Finally, the price of energy in Belgium could be affected but should normally remain limited if the intervention in Iran does not last more than a few weeks. If this impact is too significant, the federal government will need to take steps to lower excise duties to cushion the rise in oil and gas prices.
Repatriation of Belgians stranded in the Middle East
Around 26,000 Belgian nationals are present in this region of the world, including nearly 2,500 tourists. Belgium must of course organise the repatriation of its citizens present in the Gulf countries. This has already begun for around thirty Belgians currently stranded in Oman who will return to our country this Wednesday 4 March, in collaboration with Luxembourg.
Furthermore, the federal government has announced that a repatriation operation will take place, targeting exclusively travellers registered on the Travellers Online app. This operation therefore does not concern Belgian nationals who reside permanently in the region and have their own accommodation.
Operations will begin as a priority in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Given the number of people involved and the available transport capacity, it will not be possible to bring everyone back at the same time. Operations will be organised in phases, gradually.
From 6 March, buses were due to leave Dubai and Abu Dhabi for Oman. They may then possibly take a military flight, but they are also encouraged to organise their own return flight.
The decision not to charter a direct flight to Belgium at this stage is explained by the fact that a direct flight would take much longer per rotation, which would considerably reduce the number of people who could be quickly brought to safety.
Defence is making three aircraft available: two transport planes with a capacity of around 100 passengers each and an Airbus with around 250 seats. Our country is also working with its European partners (Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, Germany and the United Kingdom) to support operations and optimise capacity.
In the meantime, it is essential to follow local safety recommendations and seek shelter.