Iran urges EU to distance itself from ‘detrimental’ US positions

President Hassan Rouhani has urged the European Union to adopt independent stances on issues related to cooperation with Iran, especially with regard to the nuclear deal that Tehran signed with six world powers, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), back in 2015.

Rouhani made the remarks in a phone call with president of the European Council Charles Michel on Thursday, telling him that Iran is ready to work more closely with the EU.

Blaming Washington’s “erroneous and detrimental” miscalculations on lack of US understanding of the realities in the region, Rouhani said, “The European Union must adopt independent positions from Washington in order to prevent Iran from totally losing hope in Europe.”

 “The US resorted to economic terrorism against Iran by stepping up sanctions, even sanctions on drugs and food, against Iran and violated all international regulations by assassinating Iran's great commander; thus, Europe must respond to these US terrorist acts,” Rouhani added.

“Iran and Europe seek to maintain regional stability and to strengthen implementation of the JCPOA; and it is very important for us that Europe, China and Russia can play their important roles in preserving the JCPOA in order to safeguard Iran's interests,” Rouhani further said.

In response to the unilateral US move, Tehran has so far rowed back on its nuclear commitments five times, the last of which was taken on Sunday, within Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, but stressed that its retaliatory measures will be reversible as soon as Europe finds practical ways to shield mutual trade from the US sanctions.

Tehran announced on Sunday that the country would no longer observe operational limitations on its nuclear industry, including with regard to the capacity and level of uranium enrichment, the amount of enriched materials as well as research and development.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian president described Iran’s five steps in scaling down its commitment to the nuclear accord as a means to achieve balance.

“Iran will continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as was the case in the past,” he said.

Iran has criticized the three European signatories to the JCPOA -- Britain, France and Germany -- for failing to salvage the pact by shielding Tehran’s economy from US sanctions.

Michel, for his part, said Europe has also made every effort to play a positive role in dealing with global and regional political issues.

SS