Iran sanctions policy exacerbating EU’s economic crisis

TEHRAN, Sept. 15 (MNA) -- Europe is continuing to pile pressure on Iran over the country’s nuclear program. Despite Iran’s extensive efforts to reach an agreement with the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany), the European Union continues to insist on its economic sanctions policy and calls it the most influential factor for preventing Iran from continuing the uranium enrichment component of its nuclear program. However, the relentless wave of sanctions is expected to have a negative impact on the EU’s economic situation. Many European countries are struggling with recession and major economic crises, and the sanctions policy has deprived the EU countries of access to Iran’s huge market. Pundits believe that such politically motivated decisions are only meant to divert attention from EU governments’ internal problems. Otherwise, the Europeans have traditionally shown great interest in dealing with Iran. There is no logical reason for countries bogged down in economic crises, like France, Germany, and Britain, to stop trading with Iran, but these countries’ subservience to the United States and Israel has made them adopt anti-Iran policies in order to avoid political problems in the future. According to international law, the EU should revise its stances toward Iran in order to pave the way for a diplomatic resolution of the dispute. The diplomatic path is totally different than pressure because it creates obligations and guarantees for each side. A lasting solution should be based on a long-term view rather than short-sighted measures. However, experience shows that the EU has never been interested in finding a real solution acceptable to both sides and is only seeking to realize its objectives in the shortest time possible. And the current diplomatic gestures by U.S. officials are only meant to strengthen their position in the presidential election in November. Since the Europeans have no desire to find a diplomatic solution, Iran should be prepared to continue resisting the pressure, and EU countries should be prepared to deal with the economic repercussions of their anti-Iran policy. Dr. Mehdi Fakheri is a political analyst and expert on the European Union and Latin America based in Tehran. (By Mehdi Fakheri)