Europe cannot expect Iran to unilaterally embrace its security problems, the conflict in Ukraine has complicated relations between Tehran and European countries, the solution may be negotiations based on mutual respect, the head of Iranian Foreign Ministry Abbas Araqchi said.
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On Tuesday, Germany, Great Britain and France in a joint statement threatened Iran with new sanctions, including the cancellation of bilateral air services agreements, due to Tehran’s alleged supply of ballistic missiles to the Russian Federation. Araqchi stated that these allegations were false.
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“Europe cannot expect us to unilaterally understand its security concerns and, for example, take action against them. Europeans must also understand Iran’s concerns… Sanctions are a failed (tool). As for Ukraine as a subject of their concern … They (Europeans) must understand. They are worried about, for example, what kind of weapons we could give to Russia. Isn’t Iran the same country that you (the Europeans) once imposed sanctions on (for importing) barbed wire and didn’t they give it the simplest weapons? How did it happen that now… (Iran), according to you, can export advanced equipment, and even to a country like Russia,” the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
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“The Ukrainian issue has complicated our relations with Europe… What is happening in Ukraine, and the feeling that Europeans feel towards the threat from Russia… has created problems and new difficulties in relations with Iran. We must overcome this,” Araqchi added.
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According to him, holding rational and mutually respectful negotiations between Iran and European countries will be able to eliminate a number of misunderstandings and help discuss the concerns of both sides. Araqchi called such negotiations a “two-way street,” emphasizing that Iran is ready for them.
