MP: Global consensus against US outcome of Iran’s effective foreign policy
The global consensus against US unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal is an outcome of adoption of an effective foreign policy by Tehran the people’s support for the country’s diplomacy team, said an Iranian MP.
On May 8, US President Donald Trump Pulled Washington out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – signed between Iran and P5+1 in July 2015 – and reimposed the White House’s unilateral sanctions on Tehran in two phases, both already in place.
Speaking to Iran Daily, Yonathan Betkolia, the representative of the Assyrian Christians at Iran’s Parliament and a member of the Parliament’s Development Committee, also urged all Iranian people and parties to back the country’s diplomacy.
He stressed that everybody is required to work towards strengthening the country’s diplomacy, slamming as unacceptable any effort aimed at weakening Iran’s foreign policy.
The lawmaker noted that in case “our behavior in the international scene is based on integrity and faith and buttressed by solidarity and national unity, others will have to approve of it”.
He warned that however, this honesty and integrity in Iran’s behavior should be accompanied with tactfulness lest others take advantage of it.
“If every move by Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif and his colleagues faces opposition at home, the country’s foreign diplomacy will be weakened and subject to political exploitation by the enemies of the Islamic Republic. Thus, we are required to take our steps in line with the country’s foreign diplomacy.”
One of the results of people’s support for the country’s diplomatic apparatus is demonstrated in the United Nations Security Council’s acknowledgment of Iran’s full commitment to the JCPOA’s terms as well as its members’ refrainment from approving of the stance adopted by the US towards the deal.
“I believe that the officials of the country’s diplomatic apparatus make no move or take no step without first seeking advice from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei or ensuring that their move is approved of by him. Therefore, their performance should be supported domestically.”
Describing as unclear the behavior displayed by Europe in the aftermath of US withdrawal from the JCPOA, Betkolia said nevertheless, the mere fact that they have stood against Washington’s request to pull out of the deal shows that they are keen on continuing their cooperation with Iran.”
He added in preserving the JCPOA, European countries behave in a way not to sustain any economic losses as a result of US unilateral sanctions on Iran, and, therefore, they are currently seeking to come up with solutions to resolve the issue.
The Iranian lawmaker said eventually, Europe must make a decision that will help safeguard Tehran’s interests and find solutions to facilitate goods exchanges with Iran and transfer of money to and from the country.
Commenting on Europe’s policy and behavior towards the JCPOA, another Iranian lawmaker, Hedayatollah Khademi, said Europeans are interested in continuing cooperation with Iran, on the one hand, and are under US pressure, on the other.
“They are wondering what move to make under the present circumstances.”
He added in fact they seek to assuage Iran.
“Perhaps, this can be done through them preparing the ground for money transfer to and from Iran.”
Khademi added, “Nevertheless, we, ourselves, are required to think of our national interests in the first place as it is not possible to trust others under the present circumstances.”
Commenting on Iran’s capacities, he said being home to only one percent of the world’s population, the country sits on seven percent of the world’s natural resources.
The country owns huge oil and gas reserves, the MP noted.
“In case we construct more refineries and turn our crude into oil byproducts, then our exports will have sufficient diversity to make the country unsanctionable.”
Source: Iran Daily