TEHRAN French Foreign Minister Jean-Nol Barrot has implicated Iran of being on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons, further threatening to restore sanctions raised under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) if Irans nuclear activities threaten European security.These dubious allegations were swiftly condemned by Irans Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, who dismissed them as politically encouraged and baseless.
Iravani reaffirmed Tehrans dedication to a tranquil nuclear program, highlighting its adherence to rigid IAEA assessments and a fatwa released by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, which clearly forbids the advancement of nuclear weapons.Iravani accused France of hypocrisy, pointing out its own modernization of a nuclear arsenal estimated at 290 warheads and its silence on Israels undeclared nuclear stockpile, which stays outside the province of the NPT.
He also slammed the European trios failure to maintain their end of the JCPOA after the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018 under Donald Trump, describing Pariss hazards of reimposing sanctions as a type of financial blackmail.Tehran preserves that its progressive reduction in compliance with the JCPOA was lawful and proportional, rooted in Articles 26 and 36 of the contract.
More seriously, the Iranian ambassador stressed that diplomacy can not be pursued under coercion, calling rather for authentic diplomacy grounded in mutual respect and sovereign equality.But while Iran has actually corresponded in voicing its preparedness to reengage in talks, the European side appears mired in strategic confusionexacerbated by years of playing second fiddle to Washingtons volatile West Asia policy.
The erosion of Europes standing in the settlements ended up being most obvious when indirect United States Iran talks resumed under the Trump administration, without considerable European involvement.Indeed, European aggravation has actually grown palpably in diplomatic circles.
Lots of EU leaders were central to brokering the original JCPOA and are now openly dissatisfied at their exemption from the revived conversations.
The sidelining of Europe is not the outcome of Iranian disregard.
On the contrary, Iran has actually made several overtures to reengage with the European trio.In a press instruction after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced strategies to hold a preparatory conference in Rome with the E3France, Germany, and Britainbefore a broader discussion on the nuclear concern.
Acknowledging Europes decreasing function at the same time due to problematic policies, the minister however stressed that Tehran does not seek to exclude Europe and remains ready to work together.
He declared Irans commitment to fixing the concern through worldwide understanding and kept in mind that negotiations with the United States and oversight by the IAEA will continue to play essential roles.Additionally, in a post on his X account published on April 24, Araghchi lamented that relations with the E3 have actually degraded into a lose-lose circumstance, mainly due to the European sides choice to choose fight over diplomacy.
He recounted a conference in New York in September with E3 foreign ministers where he provided an extensive dialoguenot restricted to nuclear issuesbut was rebuffed.Araghchis offer still stands.
Having actually sought advice from counterparts in Moscow and Beijing, he expressed preparedness to visit Paris, Berlin, and London to reboot conversations, signaling Irans willingness to rebuild ties.This call for European autonomy speaks to a wider criticism that Iran has long held: that Europe has consistently failed to run separately in its foreign policy, particularly on Iran.Iranian authorities insist that for Europe to restore trustworthiness and play a meaningful function in nuclear diplomacy, it needs to take bold actions toward self-reliance.
This might begin with a reassessment of its sanctions policyespecially its determination to invoke the JCPOAs questionable snapback system, which would restore UN sanctions based on supposed Iranian violations.From Tehrans point of view, conjuring up the snapback is not just unjustified and prohibited however politically negligent.
It would position the E3 securely in an aggressive posture towards Iran and undermine any possibility of diplomatic resolution.
Instead of functioning as arbitrators or bridge-builders, the Europeans risk ending up being enablers of escalation, weakening both regional stability and their own credibility.Iran likewise sees this moment as a test of Europes commitment to multilateralism.
If Europe continues to mirror Washingtons sanctions program, it can not expect to be taken seriously as an independent actor.
But if it were to demonstrate real independenceperhaps by turning down more sanctions or embracing Irans offer of dialogueEurope could chart a new course in West Asian diplomacy.Ultimately, the Iranian message is clear: nuclear diplomacy is still possible, however not through hazards or duplicity.
Regard, sovereignty, and authentic engagement are the only practical courses forwardand it is up to Europe to decide whether it is ready to stroll that path.
This short article first appeared/also appeared in Tehran Times