AFP |
Iran’s foreign minister warned Monday of the consequences of waging “economic war” against the Islamic Republic through US sanctions, saying those conducting and supporting it could not expect to “remain safe”.
“One cannot expect an economic war to continue against the Iranian people and that those waging this war and those supporting it remain safe,” Mohammad Javad Zarif said at a joint news conference in Tehran with his German counterpart, Heiko Maas.
Frank talks with @HeikoMaas. Welcome German recognition that practical measures to ensure Iran’s economic dividends are essential to preserve #JCPOA.
We concurred that dialog among regional countries is crucial.
But @realDonaldTrump's "economic war" is THE cause of all tensions. pic.twitter.com/TISkhg89ME— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) June 10, 2019
“The only way to decrease tensions in the region is to stop the economic war,” he added, noting Germany and the European Union could have an “important role” to play in defusing the situation.
Iran signed a landmark nuclear accord with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States in 2015, leading to sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
But the US administration of President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran and, according to Tehran, waged an “economic war” against it after walking away from the deal.
#EconomicTerrorism against Iran targets innocent civilians. Like this little boy, whose heartbroken mother can't get him prosthetic legs as he grows. They're sanctioned.
This is @realDonaldTrump's "economic war". And war and talks—with or without preconditions—don't go together pic.twitter.com/ZUqA61iq7D
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) June 3, 2019
Germany’s visiting foreign minister said his country would do its utmost to ensure tensions do not escalate.
“There is war in Syria and in Yemen, fortunately not here,” Maas said. “We want to do everything we can to keep it that way” for Iran.
“Nevertheless, the tensions here in the region are worrying, and we fear that single events can trigger developments that end in violence, and we want to prevent this under all circumstances.”
The summary of Maas’ remarks: we are nothing without America and are not capable of doing anything, do not expect much from us
Maas met Zarif in Tehran, and both said they discussed the future of the nuclear pact and regional issues, although their news conference appeared tense and they appeared to agree on little. “We had a serious, frank and rather long discussion,” Zarif said.
Ahead of their meeting, Maas acknowledged the economic benefits Tehran hoped for from the deal were now “more difficult to obtain” but urged Iran to fully respect it.
EU should resist 'economic terrorism' committed by US against Iran, says Rouhani.#DCWorld #EconomicTerrorism #UnitedStates https://t.co/yiNPFN7U4c
— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) June 11, 2019
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani also met Maas and called on the Europeans to “undertake concrete and serious actions” to “safeguard” the agreement, according to a statement from his office.
We aren’t Impressed
The US sanctions reimposed last year targeted crucial parts of Iran’s economy, especially the oil and banking sectors. Even as Trump says he is open to talks, his administration ramped up the pressure further last week by targeting Iran’s petrochemical industry.
Reacting to Zarif’s remarks, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said: “We aren’t impressed.”
“Making threats using nuclear blackmail and terrorizing other nations is typical behavior for the revolutionary regime in Tehran,” she told reporters in Washington.
“Iran faces a simple choice. It can either behave like a normal country or watch its economy crumble,” she said.
.@StateDeptSpox: The international community must hold the Iranian regime accountable for its threats to expand its nuclear program. pic.twitter.com/8oP2y9oVvQ
— Department of State (@StateDept) June 10, 2019
Maas said the nuclear deal was “extraordinarily important” for Europe’s security but acknowledged limited options to support it. “We will not work miracles. But we are doing all we can to prevent a failure,” Maas said.
“The summary of Maas’ remarks: we are nothing without America and are not capable of doing anything, do not expect much from us,” Abdollah Ganji, the managing director of ultra-conservative Javan daily, wrote mockingly on Telegram after the ministers’ meeting.
Important to keep communication channels open in tense times: Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas discussed the #JCPoA in #Tehran with President Hassan Rohani. pic.twitter.com/wauYBplyjX
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) June 10, 2019
The oil embargo has hurt Iran’s main supply of foreign revenues, while the banking sanctions have scared away foreign investors and made money transfers through official channels nearly impossible for businesses.
Europe tried to respond to the US withdrawal by setting up a special trade mechanism called INSTEX that would allow legitimate trade with Iran to continue without falling foul of US sanctions, but it has yet to become operational.
Read more: EU signatories to launch INSTEX to facilitate Non-Dollar Trade with Iran
Iran has given Europe, China and Russia until July “to make their commitments operational”. Otherwise, Tehran said it would stop complying with the nuclear deal’s uranium enrichment restrictions and resume building a heavy-water reactor at Arak that was shut down as part of the deal.
Rising Tensions
The Gulf has been tense for weeks over increased strain between Iran and the United States on one hand, and the Islamic Republic and US allies like Saudi Arabia on the other.
The tensions worsened after the US military announced it was dispatching reinforcements to the Middle East in response to alleged “Iranian threats” as well as the sabotage of four ships at the entrance to the Gulf on May 12.
Read more: US sending B-52s to Middle East against Iran ‘threat’
Washington and Riyadh have accused Tehran of being behind those attacks, a charge it has dismissed as “laughable”. An international investigation found a “state actor” was likely to have been responsible for the attacks.
The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday it was “worried about increasing tensions” over Iran’s nuclear program.
IAEA chief Yukiya Amano also said Iran’s “production rate (of uranium) is increasing”, although he was unable to give an exact figure.
Zarif is lying again. Iran is the one that openly threatens, every day, to destroy the State of Israel. Iran continues to entrench itself militarily in Syria. And today, the IAEA reports that Iran is accelerating its nuclear program. pic.twitter.com/7wEEQqb3V2
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 10, 2019
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the IAEA’s assessment in a statement later, saying his country “will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons that threaten our existence and endanger the entire world”.
AFP with additional input by GVS news desk