Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that the European Union is prepared for all possible outcomes after Donald Trump warned of potential tariff increases on European car imports, escalating tensions between the two sides.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Yerevan, von der Leyen rejected claims that the EU had failed to uphold a previously agreed trade arrangement with the United States. She stressed that both parties remain committed to the terms of the deal reached last year.

“A deal is a deal, and we have a deal,” she said, adding that implementation is ongoing on both sides in line with their respective democratic systems.

Trump’s threat to impose higher levies on European vehicles has raised concerns among policymakers and industry leaders, as such a move could disrupt one of the most significant trade relationships in the world. The automobile sector is a key component of transatlantic commerce, with billions of dollars in exports flowing between the United States and EU member states each year.

European officials have pushed back against the accusation that the bloc is reneging on its commitments. According to EU representatives, the agreement is being carried out as intended, though differences in regulatory processes and legislative timelines may affect the pace of implementation.

Von der Leyen’s remarks signal that Brussels is preparing for a range of responses should Washington move forward with new tariffs. While she did not outline specific countermeasures, her statement suggested that the EU is closely monitoring developments and is ready to act to protect its economic interests.

The renewed dispute comes at a time when global trade conditions remain uncertain, with governments balancing domestic economic priorities against the need for stable international partnerships. Analysts warn that any escalation between the United States and the EU could have wider implications for global markets, particularly in manufacturing and supply chains.

European carmakers, many of which rely heavily on exports to the US, could face increased costs and reduced competitiveness if tariffs are raised. Industry groups have already urged both sides to resolve differences through dialogue rather than unilateral measures.

Despite the tension, EU officials continue to emphasize cooperation and adherence to existing agreements. Von der Leyen’s statement underlined the bloc’s position that negotiated deals must be respected, even as political pressures on both sides shape the direction of trade policy.

The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected as discussions between Washington and Brussels continue.

Iran has executed two men convicted of spying for Israel, as authorities press ahead with a renewed wave of executions despite mounting criticism from international human rights groups and foreign governments.

Iranian state media reported that Yaqoub Karimpour and Nasser Bakarzadeh were put to death after being found guilty of cooperating with Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. Their sentences had been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court.

According to Iran’s judiciary, Karimpour was accused of providing sensitive information to Mossad during the 12-day conflict in June 2025. Officials alleged that he transmitted national security data to Israeli intelligence during the hostilities.

Human rights groups have raised serious concerns about the cases. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) identified Karimpour as a member of the Yarsan religious minority, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, and described Bakarzadeh as a Kurdish political prisoner.

HRANA said Karimpour, 41, was arrested in June 2025 and denied access to legal counsel and family visits during his detention. The organisation alleged he was held under strict security conditions for about two months and pressured into making a confession.

Bakarzadeh had been in custody since December 2023. He was sentenced to death several times by the Revolutionary Court in Urmia on charges of espionage for Israel.

In an audio recording recently circulated by rights groups and said to have been made from inside Urmia prison, Bakarzadeh spoke of living under constant fear. “Every moment I see my own death,” he reportedly said.

Iranian authorities accused him of gathering information on senior political and religious figures, as well as strategic sites, including the Natanz nuclear facility, and passing the details to an alleged Mossad operative.

The executions are part of a broader surge in capital punishment in Iran. Rights organisations say the pace has accelerated sharply in recent weeks, coinciding with heightened tensions and military confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The Hengaw human rights organisation reported that at least 26 prisoners were executed in Iran during April alone. Among them were at least 14 political prisoners and one woman.

Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, has rejected international appeals for restraint. In recent remarks, he said Iran would show no leniency toward those convicted of crimes against the state or its citizens, dismissing criticism from foreign governments as interference.

International human rights organisations and the United Nations have repeatedly expressed alarm over Iran’s use of the death penalty, particularly in cases involving political charges and national security allegations. Critics argue that executions are increasingly being used as a tool of intimidation during periods of domestic and regional unrest.