Iran aims to ease US tensions, revive EU relations if sanctions lifted
4 Min Read
Iran's new foreign minister states that normalizing trade relations and boosting Iran's economy is dependent on Tehran's relations with the US and EU, provided they agree to lift sanctions and restore the 2015 nuclear agreement.
-
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (then-nuclear negotiator) attends a press briefing in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, July 7, 2019. (AP)
Newly-appointed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Iran's willingness to ease tensions with the US and revive relations with European countries if they halt their "hostile approach" to the Islamic Republic.
The diplomat explained in an interview with Japan's Kyodo News, published on Thursday, the important step to normalizing trade relations with the international community and boosting Iran's economy is through managing tensions with Washington and rekindling ties with European countries, provided they comply with Tehran's conditions of lifting sanctions and restoring the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement.
"In my foreign policy address to the Islamic Consultative Assembly, I highlighted the crucial objective of lifting sanctions, particularly unilateral ones, through earnest, focused, and time-bound negotiations while upholding the nation's fundamental principles," Araghchi said, referring to his recent speech to parliament, where he presented his main objectives.
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
Araghchi is a former nuclear negotiator and defender of the JCPOA, which he aims to revive while he is in office.
The JCPOA is a multilateral nuclear agreement signed in 2015 by Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and Germany, which required Tehran to restrict its nuclear activities in exchange for lifting the harsh sanctions that were mainly imposed by the United States.
However, in May 2018, former US president Donald Trump pulled the US out of the agreement and imposed additional severe unilateral sanctions against the Tehran despite its adherence to the agreement, which it continued to abide by a year after the US withdrawal.
Iran began scaling back its commitments under the JCPOA agreement through a series of pre-announced and transparent measures after witnessing that the other EU parties had failed to uphold their duties under the agreement.
Tehran aims to strengthen diplomatic relations with Tokyo
Iran's foreign minister also emphasized his objective to enhance bilateral relations between Tehran and Tokyo amid the region's rising tensions.
"I know the capacity and capabilities of Japan. Japan can be more important in Iran's energy, oil, and economy section," Araghchi said, highlighting the need to form economic and trade opportunities with the Asian country in light of US anti-Iran sanctions.
"We must transcend obstacles hindering our mutual interests and prioritize our vital needs. By comprehensively evaluating the current landscape, we can forge a constructive partnership to drive both nations' progress and prosperity," he added.
Pezeshkian calls for trust-building in JCPOA revival
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told European Council President Charles Michel in a phone conversation on Monday that the revival of the JCPOA is achievable if all the parties involved prioritize mutual interests and work to build trust with one another.
According to Press TV, Pezeshkian told Michel that if each side fulfills its commitments and establishes a foundation of confidence, it would not only make it possible to restore the JCPOA but also open the door for discussions on other important issues beyond the nuclear agreement.
"If the two sides fulfill all their obligations and build confidence, they can discuss other issues [of common interests] in addition to the revival of the nuclear agreement," Pezeshkian was quoted as saying.
The Iranian leader also criticized the double standard policies of the US and some EU countries, arguing that these inconsistent approaches have empowered "Israel" to carry out more severe actions in Gaza and other parts of the region.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported peace, tranquility and stability across the world and for all nations and believes that any trend in any part of the world that endangers these values ​​should be stopped," Pezeshkian said, adding that US policies aimed at pressuring countries like Iran undermine efforts for global peace.
Charles Michel, on his part, expressed the EU's desire to enhance relations with Iran and hoped for the resumption of effective cooperation based on common interests.
