Araqchi: Iran is ready for a new chapter in relations with Europe

According to Ashura News, quoted by ISNA, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi wrote in a note in the French magazine Le Point: The two countries of England and France, which drew the new borders of Western Asia about a century ago, are now caught in a situation where they have been left out of the diplomatic developments in the region, such that European diplomats have appeared in the role of passive observers in the most important ongoing talks in the region - including indirect talks between Iran and the United States. The reality is that Europe's current passivity is the result of the strategy they have chosen; a strategy that has harmed everyone, including themselves.

When Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, Europe should have made a decisive decision

He added: When US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, (during his first term as president), Europe should have made a decisive decision. At the same time, Bruno Le Maire, the then French Finance Minister, in response to Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA, declared that Europe would not be a “vassal” of Washington. But in practice, the three European countries, Britain, France, and Germany, failed to prove this; so that the economic benefits that Iran was supposed to gain from the JCPOA never materialized, because European companies decided to adhere to US sanctions instead of fulfilling their governments’ commitments.

The result of the strategic indecision pattern has also reached the Europeans’ homes

Iraqi continued by writing: Today, the result of the same strategic indecision pattern has also reached the Europeans’ homes; where Washington has entered into direct talks with Moscow to stop the war in Ukraine, ignoring European capitals. This strategic indecision has been more evident than anywhere else in the recent policy of the three European countries towards the so-called “trigger” mechanism in the JCPOA. This mechanism, designed as the last means of resolving disputes in the agreement, is now being used by the Europeans as a lever of political pressure. The lack of commitment by the three European countries on this important issue increases the risk of a global proliferation crisis; a risk that will severely affect the Europeans themselves.

We have warned all signatories to the JCPOA that abusing the trigger mechanism will have consequences

He added: Iran has clearly stated its position against the possibility of the Europeans using the trigger mechanism. We have officially warned all signatories to the JCPOA that abusing the trigger mechanism will have consequences; including that it will not only end Europe’s role in the agreement, but it will also potentially lead to an increase in irreparable tensions.

Instead of adapting to the new conditions, Europe has taken a confrontational stance

The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized: The three European countries should ask themselves why they are stuck in such a deadlock. During the previous US administration, three European countries served as key mediators in the indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, and Iran cooperated constructively with them. But as the political will in Washington to reach an agreement waned, the Europeans gradually abandoned their efforts. Instead of adapting to the new circumstances, they took a confrontational stance, using pretexts such as human rights and Iran’s legitimate relations with Russia to abandon diplomatic moves to revive the nuclear deal.

According to him, this approach has not only damaged relations between governments, but also had consequences in the field of humanitarian cooperation. For example, the European Union’s ban on Iranian airlines last year – citing allegations of missile exports to Russia, which were subsequently denied by senior Ukrainian officials – has severely restricted Iran’s access to vital medicines, including those needed to treat cancer.

The current behavior of Europeans is in stark contrast to previous years

Iraqchi added: So we see that the current behavior of Europeans is in stark contrast to previous years. In 2003, after the devastating earthquake in Bam, France quickly set up a field hospital there. But when the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas caught fire that same month - and threatened to disrupt the economic cycle of Central Asia and the Caucasus - only Russia immediately sent its aid to Iran. Even the European Union's message of condolences arrived a week after the crisis subsided!

He continued: These fragile relations come at a time when the world is witnessing the tragedies of Gaza and Ukraine; two tragedies that clearly reveal the double standards of the West in these two unfortunate developments. Iranians, like others, see this selective approach and ask themselves: What is the contradiction?

The Iranian Foreign Minister continued the note by saying: "Nevertheless, and despite the tensions, the history of Iran-Europe relations has a rich foundation. Cultural, scientific, and economic relations between Iran and Europe, including cooperation in the fields of energy, technology, automotive, and the environment, have been fruitful. In the diplomatic sphere, European engagement with Iran on issues ranging from Afghanistan to the Eastern Mediterranean has led to meaningful cooperation."

I am still committed to diplomacy with Europe

Aragchi continued: “Given this history, I have called on several occasions for meaningful dialogue with Europe to be resumed. Last fall, at the UN General Assembly in New York, I proposed engagement and cooperation not only on the nuclear issue, but also on all issues of concern to the parties, such as Ukraine. These positive moves were met with silence and inaction from Europe, but nevertheless, I am still committed to diplomacy.”

He emphasized: “Following recent consultations in Russia and China, I have announced my readiness to travel to Paris, Berlin, and London with the aim of starting a new chapter in relations.” This initiative has led to the formation of preliminary talks at the level of deputy foreign ministers. These talks, although fragile, are promising.

Time is running out

The Iranian Foreign Ministry noted at the end of this note: Time is running out. How we respond at this critical juncture will determine the future of Iran-Europe relations - far beyond what many expect. Iran is ready to enter a new chapter in relations. We hope our European partners are as ready.