UK has started preemptive cold war against Iran: Iranian ex-ambassador

TEHRAN, Dec.20 (MNA) – Iranian former ambassador to France Sadeq Kharrazi said that the United Kingdom has started a “preemptive cold war” against Iran by declaring financial sanctions against Iran. On November 21, Britain put a ban on dealing with any Iranian banks, including the central bank. In reaction to such measures the Iranian parliament overwhelmingly approved a proposal on November 2 3 calling for a reduction in the level of ties with Britain. Kharrazi said the reaction of the Iranian parliament against London was natural as Britain’s aggressive behavior against Iran could not be underestimated. Kharrazi said that the British government should have come to the conclusion that having full diplomatic relations with Iran and committing hostile acts against it at the same time would not be possible. However, the former diplomat expressed dismay over the storming of the British embassy in Tehran, saying such behaviors do not benefit the country at the present time. On November 29, after a demonstration held to protest against the British government’s hostile policies toward Iran in front of the British embassy in Tehran, a number of students from various universities entered the British embassy compound and pulled down the Union Jack. Kharrazi said the European countries have distanced themselves from Iran and the reason for such distance can be sought in developments that have taken place on both sides of the Atlantic and the deterrent policies adopted by Iranian officials. Once Europe played an effective role on both sides of the Atlantic, but for many reasons it has lost its role, Kharrazi added.