Europe’s Inaction Aiding US Anti-Iran Moves

Iran’s top diplomat said European states are only facilitating the US hostile measures against Iran with their inaction on the pressure exerted by Washington to squeeze the country’s economy.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks to British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, IRNA reported.
The European approach is helping “the US administration continue enforcing its illegal sanctions [against Iran], while at the same time they claim to be seeking a return to the JCPOA,” he said.
The United States started reimposing sanctions in 2018 after exiting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a landmark nuclear accord between Iran and six major powers.
Besides reinstating the draconian measures, the US began forcing other countries to abide by the sanctions too. Europe has been doing just the same, besides refusing to take the smallest step to encourage Washington to roll back its aggressive measures.

Only Words and Promises 

Iran has been given many words and promises that the West intends to revisit its JCPOA approach, the top diplomat said. However, There have been no actions, he added.
“Unfortunately, Britain has been part of this inaction too, and this approach should change.
“This is the obvious inconsistency that is being witnessed by the Iranian people,” he said, adding, “For the Iranian administration, measurable actions on the part of the other parties to the JCPOA form the only yardstick.”
In addition, the foreign minister urged London to take action toward repaying its debt to Iran.
Britain owes as much as £400m to Iran arising from the non-delivery of Chieftain tanks ordered by Iran’s former monarchical regime. An international arbitration in 2008 ruled that the UK owed the debt.
Rebuilding of the bilateral ties requires serious action, Amir-Abdollahian asserted, calling on London to note that taking such action on its obligations is the only means of reconstructing the troubled relations.
Tehran responds proportionately to any positive and constructive step, he pledged.
The British diplomat said her country is ready to repay the debt.
Concerning the JCPOA, she said the main focus currently rests on resumption of the talks on the revival of the deal. The negotiations were put on hold toward the end of the administration of former president Hassan Rouhani’s tenure so the Islamic Republic can undergo the transition.