EU Carrot and Stick Policy

Last week the European Union agreed to impose new sanctions on Iran including an asset freeze of Bank Melli, the biggest Iranian bank, and a black list comprising of 15 new Iranian individuals and 20 Iranian companies the EU claims to be linked to Iran’s nuclear program.

 

Iran reacted angrily and while strongly condemning the EU move, called it illegal and paradoxical. Iran also said the new sanctions could hurt the current diplomatic efforts.

 

The new EU decision is part of an overall EU carrot and stick policy towards Iran. While the Europeans have waited for Iran’s response to the 5+1 package delivered to Iran two weeks ago, they have continued with their harsh economic policy towards Iran. In this context, Solana said openly that "we will keep the double track open," referring to their carrot and stick policy. 

 

The idea of imposing new sanctions against Iran is not new. The US raised this idea a few months ago at the UN Security Council but could not get the support of its members particularly China and Russia. This time, with the start of Bush’s visit to Europe which coincided with Solana’s visit to Iran, Bush lobbied hard with the US allies in Europe to get them on board for the new sanctions.

 

Britain was the first country to join the new move. The Americans expected a negative response to Solana’s offer from Tehran. That was why they hoped that soon after Solana’s return, the EU would announce the new sanctions. However, Iran’s positive approach towards Solana and the 5+1 package made it difficult for the US to have the immediate support from the EU.

 

The new EU decision can be analyzed from two angles. On one hand, it proves the fact that there is a lack of unanimity within the Security Council for these sanctions at this juncture. Had the US gathered enough support for the sanctions within the Security Council, they would not have asked the Europeans to join its unilateral sanctions against Iran. Nevertheless, no one can tell for sure for how long China and Russia will resist the adoption of new UN sanctions against Iran.

 

On the other hand, the new EU move seems to be the beginning of new series of unilateral economic sanctions against Iran. The Europeans have already started to talk about the possibility of targeting Iran’s energy sector in the future sanctions.

 

In the meantime, last week the US made use of the G8 meeting in Kyoto, Japan to further its policy towards Iran. The Foreign Minister of G8 countries called on Iran to respond to the 5+1 package in a constructive manner. They also agreed that the dual-track policy of sanctions and diplomacy should continue.

 

Against this backdrop, what should be done to avoid further escalation of tension?

Belligerent statements and talk of military actions against Iran have not achieved their desired effects. To the contrary, Iran’s determination and steadfastness to defend itself has been augmented as a result of these hostile positions. Moreover, Iran’s repeated position on not tolerating any aggression against its territory, emphasized once more last week by the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, should make it clear to all that carrot and stick policy towards Iran does not work.

 

The US and EU unilateral sanctions demonstrate the antagonistic and insincere attitude of the Europeans towards the Iranian people. At this important juncture, what is needed for both sides is to explore the similarity between the 5+1 package and Iran’s package and to come up with an agreed agenda to start negotiations in good faith without further delay.