EUCO President Highlights Value of Iran Ties

President of the European Council Charles Michel stressed the importance of the European Union’s relations with Iran during a ceremony to receive the new Iranian envoy’s credentials on Saturday. 
Iran’s ambassador to the EU and Belgium, Gholamhossein Dehqani, submitted a copy of his credentials to the European official after presenting the document to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week, ISNA reported.  
The two officials discussed the latest developments surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
Dehqani underlined the importance of efforts by all participants and members of the United Nations Security Council to preserve this valuable accord by rejecting illegal American measures and ensuring its full implementation by all. 
The deal has been unraveling since the United States exited unilaterally and reimposed tough sanctions on Tehran. The European parties have been unable to make up for the adverse economic impacts of the deal despite their feeble efforts, forcing Iranian leaders to take remedial measures by scaling back Iran’s commitments. 
However, officials in Tehran have repeatedly announced that all measures would be immediately reversed once Iran can enjoy its JCPOA benefits once again.  
The US pressure and the resulting developments have disrupted EU’s relations with Iran in many sectors, including bilateral trade.  
Dehqani discussed the need to resume normal relations between Iran and the EU, and improve economic ties in spite of US restrictions and threats. 

  Last Blow After its maximum pressure campaign failed, Washington is attempting to trigger the return of all UN sanctions on Iran using a so-called snapback mechanism foreseen in the JCPOA to deliver a last blow to the agreement.  This came after the UN Security Council rejected a US bid to extend Iran’s arms embargo beyond its expiration on October as per the terms of the deal.  September 20 is the date the sanctions should automatically snap back, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed. However, the move is unlikely to have any effect since an overwhelming majority of UNSC members have objected to it, saying the measure is invalid and lacks legal ground. Iran has called on Europe to firmly reject the US call, if they are interested in the survival of JCPOA.    Michel underlined the importance of all parties’ adherence to the landmark deal that requires the removal of sanctions on Tehran. During the meeting, Dehqani also discussed regional issues and Iran’s role in fighting terrorism as well as the need for cooperation among all regional countries to preserve peace and security.    He expressed Iran’s readiness to collaborate with regional countries and the EU in all sectors. Michel said close ties among all neighboring countries in the Middle East is key to preserving peace and security, and would also be in the interest of the European Union.