Potential escalations around Iran 'not in EU’s interests' – expert

Escalations around the Islamic Republic are not in the interests of the European Union , an expert in Iranian studies said on Monday, calling instead for a serious action towards developing bilateral ties, “to increase also Armenia’s advantages.”

In an interview with Tert.am, Vardan Voskanyan voiced his concerns over the deteriorating EU-Iran ties as he commented upon the EU ministerial session focusing on the situation in and around the country.

“The Iranians oftentimes urge also the EU countries to remain committed to their promises and to create especially a financial mechanism enabling the Iran-EU economic cooperation and trade relations,” he said.

The expert also pointed out to the EU’s decreasing attention to Iran amid the current concerns "requiring a stronger focus on domestic issues". “An atmosphere of misunderstandings is thus being created on the level of rhetoric or action, creating also unnecessary tensions,” he said, highlighting the Brexit-related problems in Britain, the political situation in Germany expected to lead to the chancellor’s replacement, etc.

As another impediment to developing relations, Voskanyan admitted also the US pressures upon the EU countries. “Additionally, the sentiments dominating internally are another important platform, with certain powers in Iran insisting that the European Union won’t abide by its commitments. Hence, the perspective of Iran’s being a Party to the Nuclear Agreement loses its sense in a way. This is why, Iran may quit the agreement – in full or in part – to embark upon the implementation of a number of actions stemming therefrom, including the uranium enrichment beyond the assigned limit,” he said, ruling out any solution despite the continuing bilateral and multilateral contacts.

Foreign ministers from 28 EU member states met on Monday to discuss the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) adopted in Vienna in July 2015. The session also addressed the tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as the possibilities of lowering the military escalation caused by Tehran’s recent statements on reducing its commitments.

“An increasing tension around Iran is not in the least in the EU’s interests - given especially that the threat of war is a concern to member states of the European Union. In case of a possible war, the EU will be apparently the first to confront the problem of an extra number of migrants, which is a serious challenge as it is. Hence it is in the interests of the EU countries to develop and normalize the relations with Iran,” he said.

Voskanyan added that he expects also individual member states – and the Union as a whole – to undertake specific steps and measures to have the necessary mechanisms to develop the relations with Iran.

“The availability of those mechanisms is important as that channel can be used also in the Armenia-Iran relations in the light of the existing US pressures in our banking system. Those pressures are significant as they hamper the development of the Armenian-Iranian relations.

According to Voskanyan, the European Union has both the potential and desire to develop economic relations with the Islamic Republic, the only obstacle being the multi-layer structure “provoking an internal conflict of interests”.

“Clearly, certain EU member states – such as France or Germany – are willing to elaborate mechanisms to develop relations with Iran, which is advantageous both economically and politically,” he noted.

Asked about the adopted foreign policy trends, the expert pointed out to the downing of US drones by the Islamic Republic.

“The Iranians have drawn the ‘red line’ by shooting down the unmanned drones. That gives the real characteristics of the foreign policies pursued currently by Iran. Iran will by no means permit any violation of its own territorial borders. The Iranians will not cede their positions in the Persian Gulf region. This was clearly outlined in the Iranian foreign policies. Hence, everybody has to consider that as Iran pursues vital interests in the Middle East as a kind of ‘empire’ in that particular region. Experience shows anyway the impossibility of considering those interests”.

Voskanyan added that he sees also the kind of wait-and-see policies in the runup to the US presidential elections. “Though the Americans insist that Mr Trump will be re-elected the United States’ president, the US is likely to be more preoccupied with domestic concerns, having little time to spend on foreign policy issues, including Iran. Therefore, the Iranians consider this ‘window’ an opportunity to reinforce their own position to negotiate from stronger positions,” he said.