President Rouhani Asks for Europe's Firm Stance against US Economic Terrorism

Withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) had nothing but negative impacts on interaction among countries and security of the region, Iranian President said in a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Heiko Maas on Monday evening.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has never been, and will never be, locked in a stalemate under pressure and sanctions," he added.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to develop political and economic relations with the European Union member states, especially Germany," President Rouhani said.

He went on to refer to Iran’s efforts to establish stability in the region and fight against terrorism, specially in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, saying, "Iran has always been positively effective in the development of stability and security in the region, and the current security in the region is because of Iran’s efforts."

On the nuclear deal, the President said, “With its unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA, the United States violated the agreement made between 7 countries, as well as the resolution of the Security Council, beginning terrorist acts in the region, but unfortunately, we have not seen any responsible and proper reaction by Europe towards the US."

“With its unjust sanctions, the United States is moving on the path of economic terrorism and we believe that we have to stand up to those who deprive people of medicine and food,” he added.

Rouhani also referred to the solemn promises by three European countries in the past one year, saying, “In the past one year, we have not seen any serious acts from the side of Europe despite fairly good political stance; therefore, we have to made decisions and act in a way that is beneficial for us, you and all countries and the region”.

He said, “The war that the US has started against Iran for the past one year will never be beneficial for anybody and the Iranian nation have proved in this time span that they will withstand these pressures and bullying behaviors”.

Iran could act based on Article 36 of the JCPOA after US’ withdrawal, but it waited for a year, said the President, adding, “We expect Europe to stand up to the United States’ economic terrorism against the Iranian nation, living up to its commitments under the deal”.

Rouhani said that US move to prevent foodstuff and medicine from entering Iran are aimed at putting pressure on the people and create instability in the region, and said, “Security the region will never be achieved through pressurizing and sanctioning the Iranian nation”.

“First, the origin of tensions in the region need to be identified precisely to let us reach a proper solution for regional problems,” he continued.

"JCPOA was an important step for development of stability and security in the region, but with the US withdrawing from it and the other negotiators not living up to their commitments, how can we step towards more security in the region," President Rouhani said.

“Today, JCPOA could be a basis for dialogue and diplomacy in the world, but because of the United States’ unilateral moves and the lack of commitments, it has turned into a factor for pessimism towards the principle of negotiations."

The US wrong path of sanctioning the Iranian nation has made problems for many other countries as well, he said, adding, “Today, the main Iranian bodies and the nation are more united and integrated than last year, and the US’ decisions have definitely not had any benefit for them and other countries, including the EU."

“We have plans for running our country under any conditions, but we believe that there is still hope to save this agreement and the EU can play a positive role in this regard,” said Rouhani.

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran also went on to describe the claims about Iran chasing nuclear weapons as baseless and said, “This claim cannot be true with regard to the latest 15 reports by the IAEA, and more importantly, the Supreme Leader’s fatwa prohibiting nuclear weapons”.

The Islamic Republic of Iran wants Resolution 2231 of the UNSC and the JCPOA to be fully implemented, said Rouhani, expressing the hope that "the EU member states especially can play their constructive role in this regard".

Maas, for his part, described Iran-Germany ties as long-standing and friendly.

He expressed concerns over rising tensions in the region because of transregional activities, saying, “The European Union and us favour ease of tensions in the region and will spare no effort in this regard”.

Describing the US’ unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA a wrong move, he said, “Germany has many disagreements with the US policies towards Iran, and we are trying to keep cooperating with other European countries, especially France and Britain, to safeguard the nuclear deal and live up to its commitments”.

On INSTEX, he said, “The European Union is unitedly trying to keep and develop economic cooperation with Iran”.

“Iran’s living up to its commitments under the nuclear deal one year after the US’ withdrawal shows this country’s wise, tactful leadership in international stages,” he said.

"Those who are familiar with Iran’s history know it well that the strategy of maximum pressure on the Iranian nation will not yield any results," Mass said.

"We believe that if the JCPOA ends, those who are seeking to escalate tensions in the region will seize the opportunity; therefore, I assure you that Germany is closely cooperating with its European allies to settle the problems and maintain the JCPOA," he said.

In relevant remarks on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blasted the US for imposing tough sanctions against his country, saying that regional tensions would relieve after Washington stops economic warfare against Tehran.

"The only way to ease tensions in the region is stopping the economic war. You may not expect that an economic war be launched against the ordinary people in Iran and then those who have launched the war and supported it remain safe. We believe that Germany and Europe can play an important role in this regard to stop the war and we welcome that role," Zarif told reporters in a joint press conference with Maas in Tehran.

He also said that the problems in the Middle-East were rooted in Israel's aggressive policies and the US unlimited support for these crimes.

"The problem of our region is that the US has tried to violate the Palestinian people's rights with force and under the name of a new crime named 'Deal of Century'," Zarif said, referring to the occupation of the Golan Heights and holy Quds by Israel and Washington's support for them as a source of danger to the region.

He referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats to annihilate Iran while he was standing beside Dimona, one of Israel's centers to produce nuclear weapons, and warned that the regime is a source of danger to the region.

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