US Officials’ Travel to Various Countries ‘Aimed at Pressuring Iran’
Diplomatic sources say that US officials are traveling around the world with the aim of pressuring countries to cut trade relations with Iran, an move that follows the US President’s decision to withdraw from the nuclear agreement.
Reuters reported on Wednesday, June 7 (May 28) citing a senior European diplomat that US Treasury Department officials have so far traveled to Japan for this purpose, and American diplomats are heading to Europe this week, while Britain, France and Germany are trying to preserve the JCPOA and convince Iran to remain in the agreement.
The diplomat stated: “The Americans have launched their campaign and are going everywhere. They are dogmatic and narrow-minded. We have made it clear to them that if you want to come here and tell us how to enforce American laws, there is absolutely no welcome for it.”
Reports indicate that the ministers of the three European countries along with Federica Mogherini, head of the European Union’s foreign policy, have asked their American counterparts in a letter to exempt European companies party to contracts with Iran from Washington sanctions.
The letter, dated June 4 (May 25), was signed by the finance and foreign ministers of Britain, Germany and France, and mentions several commercial sectors including pharmaceuticals, health and sanitation, banking, energy, commercial aviation and infrastructure facilities, through which Europe expects to continue cooperation with Iran if granted American exemptions.
Reuters writes that however, the travels of US officials show that there is no inclination in Washington toward compromise regarding Iran. In fact, on Tuesday, the Deputy Treasury Secretary warned Washington partners and the private sector about economic relations with Tehran, saying that those who violate this prohibition must pay the price.
Another European Union official said that America is sending delegations around the world to privately convey this warning message to countries about economic relations with Iran.
Accordingly, according to European diplomats, Andre Pike, assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State, traveled to the Czech Republic on Tuesday and to Hungary on Wednesday.
The US State Department, while confirming the travel of its representatives to Europe, stated that they are trying to obtain sufficient support in these trips to pressure Iran and in the process explain America’s policy regarding sanctions.
Source: Radio Farda
