Tehran jockeys Washington over nuclear deal with European mediation

Eslam Mohamed

In a new attempt by the Iranian regime to break the collar of US sanctions, Tehran is seeking to intensify pressure on the administration of new US President Joe Biden to give priority to resolving its economic crisis and to return to the nuclear agreement, as it suggested that the European Union play a mediating role between it and Washington to salvage the agreement from which the administration of former President Donald Trump withdrew.

In an accompanying threatening move, Tehran announced the successful launch of a satellite-capable missile. This implies the development of its ability to use missiles that carry nuclear warheads.

In statements to CNN, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested a coordinating role for the Europeans to revive the agreement from which the United States withdrew nearly two years ago, indicating the possibility of a mechanism either through the simultaneous return of the two countries to the nuclear agreement or by coordinating what can be done.

Zarif suggested that the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, could coordinate the necessary measures for the two sides in order to return to the agreement.

When asked whether this return required the implementation of preconditions by his country or by Washington, Zarif responded that the necessary steps could be taken simultaneously or in a coordinated manner.

This Iranian discourse opens the way for the first time to a simultaneous mechanism, despite Zarif stressing at the same time that the Americans, who left the agreement, must first show their goodwill.

Zarif’s statements preceded a declaration issued in the name of the European Commission saying that “the European Union is trying to find ways to ensure the return of the United States to the agreement and for Iran to fully respect its obligations.”

For his part, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an interview with NBC on Monday, February 1, that Tehran’s return to committing to the terms of the nuclear agreement would require some time, and then some time for the United States to assess the extent of the Iranians’ compliance.

Zarif responded by saying that the problem is not timing, explaining that it is possible to re-adhere to certain restrictions in less than a day, and that adherence to other restrictions may require days or weeks, but this matter will not require more time than the United States needs to implement the presidential decrees needed to lift sanctions.

It is noteworthy that former President Trump decided unilaterally in 2018 to withdraw his country from the agreement, indicating that it is insufficient at the nuclear level and does not address the Iranian ballistic missile program and other destabilizing Iranian activities in the Middle East.

On the other hand, Blinken said that Washington would return to the agreement if Tehran retured to abiding by the conditions stipulated in it, while Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on the United States to take the first step towards resolving the conflict, as it was Washington that withdrew from the agreement.