There is a strong will among European states to resist US pressure for cutting trade with Iran despite its apparent consequences, a lawmaker said Friday noting that the Europeans are at a historic crossroads.
"The fact that the Europeans themselves have put forward a proposal and have reiterated that they want to stay in the JCPOA shows that Europe is determined to resist US pressures and act independently, which is a good sign," Parvaneh Mafi told ISNA in reference to the Iran nuclear deal—formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
It would be a "historic" turning point if Europe choses to continue its trade with Tehran despite demands by its major economic partner, she said, adding that President Donald Trump's pullout from the nuclear agreement has undermined US credibility on the global stage.
Mafi said the proposal by the remaining parties to salvage the pact does not fully meet Iran's expectations and needs to be revised.
However, it is a significant positive development that Brussels plans to use the European Investment Bank funding to shore up the nuclear accord.
The parliamentarian was referring to the approval by EU lawmakers to the EIB to do business in Iran.
EU lawmakers gave approval in early June for the EIB to do business in Iran, overcoming a blocking attempt and keeping alive plans to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran, Reuters reported.
The EIB, the EU's not-for-profit long-term investment arm, is a key pillar of the bloc's attempts to maintain business links with Iran in the face of Washington's decision to reimpose sanctions on the Islamic Republic, according to Reuters.
Need for Patience
"At this juncture, we have to be patient and negotiate with the Europeans with the aim of staying in the deal for reasons of national interest and fulfill our demands," Mafi said.
She opined that the US unilateral withdrawal from the multinational agreement could turn out to be a "boon" to Iranian manufacturers.
"The US move awakened us and led us to redirect our attention to domestic production," the lawmaker said, adding that a strong national economy will help the country achieve its goals.
