Iran security chief Mohsen Rezaei tells Europe ‘now it’s your turn to pay’ as energy costs from war mount

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei accused European governments of supporting Israel’s attacks on Iran and said they were now paying the economic price of the war through soaring energy costs.

“Just yesterday, Europe took pride in the dirty work of the Zionist regime. Today, it’s whining about billions the war with Iran is costing it,” Rezaei wrote on X.

“When you cheered on war crimes, did you think the fallout wouldn’t hit you too? War and terror come at a price. Now it’s your turn to pay.”

Rezaei’s remarks came the same day German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said higher energy prices linked to the Iran war had cost Europe more than €100 billion over the past eight months.

Merz said the conflict could not be resolved militarily and called on all sides, including Israel, to pursue diplomacy.

Energy costs across Europe have risen sharply since the war began, with benchmark gas prices recently reaching their highest level since the 2022 energy crisis and oil prices climbing to six-month highs amid concerns over renewed escalation and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

Rezaei’s claim that Europe supported Israeli attacks is his political characterization. European governments have taken differing positions during the conflict, and his remarks did not distinguish between individual countries.