EU states not ready to cut their Iranian oil lifeline

TEHRAN, Dec. 10 (MNA) -- The current dispute between the members of the European Union over Iran’s nuclear program provides an opportunity for EU states to show that they are sovereign countries. The EU has always followed the policies of the United States and Britain, which recently intensified their efforts to create a global consensus on imposing an embargo on Iranian oil. This blind obedience has often undermined the national interests of EU members. However, imposing new sanctions on Iran’s oil industry would create very serious economic problems for European countries in the future. Therefore, the members of the European Union are expected to act independently, especially in their decisions about Iran’s nuclear program. The members of the EU can reject the proposal for an embargo on Iranian oil and thus dissociate themselves from the hegemonistic policies of Washington and London. The lack of consensus on whether to impose sanctions on Iran’s oil industry at the recent meeting of EU members proved that European governments are in serious disagreement with Britain and the U.S. over the moves to put more pressure on Iran. So, it seems that some EU countries have felt compelled to prioritize their own national interests as the economic situation becomes grimmer. Europeans are also becoming fed up with their governments’ blind subservience to U.S. policies since it raises questions about their countries’ sovereignty and independence. While Europe’s major powers have taken a political line in their dealings with Iran, many of the other EU members are extremely dependent on Iranian oil to meet their energy needs. Thus, they realize the impact that an embargo on Iranian oil would have on their national interests. The recent disagreement shows that these countries understand the repercussions of such a move. On the other hand, the sanctions that have been imposed on Iranian officials will have no effect on Iran’s nuclear policy. People like Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, make no trips to European countries and the travel bans will accomplish nothing. The United States and Britain will surely continue to pursue hostile policies toward Iran, especially in the wake of the recent student demonstration in front of the British Embassy in Tehran, which led to the severance of diplomatic ties between Iran and the United Kingdom. All this puts a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of the members of Iran’s foreign policy apparatus, who must now neutralize the threats of the U.S. and Britain and thwart their efforts to create a global consensus for an embargo of Iranian oil.