“If the European governments knew they did not have such influence on their companies, why did they enter into negotiations with Iran in the first place,” noted Dr. Kamal Kharrazi.
Speaking in a meeting to a delegation from the Italian International Affairs Institute (IAI), he noted that US President Donald Trump’s goal is not merely to exert pressure on Iran, but also pursues the weakening and disintegration of European Union. He reiterated that the US decision to hold an anti-Iranian conference in Poland is also aimed at widening the gap between European countries.
Pointing out that Iran has shown its commitment on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Kharrazi said the Iranian’s perception of Europe has become more negative, because of its approach towards the Iranian Nuclear Deal. “Europe’s interests should be in practical steps towards the implementation of JCPOA,” Kharrazi stressed.
The SCFR president stated that Europe’s submission to US pressure at this point will result in more pressures by the US in the future, and noted that “The failure of the JCPOA will also affect the security of Europe”.
Meanwhile, Kharrazi talked about the importance to the relations between Iran and Europe, noting that continuation of dialogue between the two sides on a variety of matters will be useful.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Kharrazi pointed to the Washington’s violations of the JCPOA and said: “The signature of any government on a document is tantamount to the commitment of their countries; therefore, Trump’s approach towards the JCPOA which is an international document, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, is unacceptable and violation of the international law.”
Referring to EU’s repeated delays in implementing the special financial mechanism (SPV) to trade with Iran, the SCFR president said that the European’s excuse that is unable to persuade their companies to cooperate with Iran cannot be defended and accepted.
Kharrazi emphasized: “This means that one cannot trust the signature of European governments, and the question arises here that if the European governments knew they did not have an influence on their companies, why did they enter into negotiations with Iran?”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has paid a heavy price in order to maintain its independence and while we will not surrender to pressures, we have taken the necessary measures to meet our needs.”
The SCFR president said that America has taken Europe hostage, and for the same reason, Europe will face more problems with the United States in the future.
Kharrazi further noted: “The United States seeks to pretend to be the only undisputed power in the world, and Europe should learn from Russian and Chinese, how to resist the US policies”
Members of the Italian delegation also said that potentials of cooperation between Iran and Europe are beyond the nuclear issue and noted that Washington’s withdrawal from the JCPOA has been also protested by Europe. They said Iran’s expectation to see action from Europe in order to enable Tehran to benefit from the economic interests in compliance with the JCPOA is understandable.
The Italian delegation also agreed that the United States had violated the international law by withdrawing from the JCPOA and admitted that Europe was highly dependent on the US because the two economies are very much interrelated.