Europe’s Independent think-tank Calls For Easing sanctions On Iran

Tehran, July 16, IRNA – The Foundation for International Relations and Foreign Dialogue (a European research institute) has called for easing the economic sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran. It wrote that Iran wants recognition of its right to enrich uranium and an easing of sanctions in exchange for suspension of 20 percent enrichment (while continuing at a much lower level) and conversion of its stockpile. However, the EU has offered ‘peanuts for diamonds’ instead. According to FRIDE, The West should not let its suspicious attitude towards Iran, derived of past cover-ups and obstructive negotiation tactics, cloud its judgment or its tactics in the current negotiations, as that may lead to even worse results, the foundation added. Iranians assume that a negotiation process will follow a quid-pro-quo approach, but Americans and Europeans seem to want to bludgeon Tehran into submission, piling on sanctions and expecting Iran to meet their demands before lifting any sanctions. At an earlier meeting in Istanbul, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said that the EU wanted ‘to ensure all the obligations under the NPT are met by Iran, while fully respecting Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy Based on this premise, allowing Iran to enrich uranium in exchange for intrusive IAEA inspections would prove a much more effective tactic than talk of zero enrichment, preconditions, sanctions or even military intervention. Foundation for International Relations and Foreign Dialogue is an independent European think thank for global action./end