New EU sanctions against Iran and their objectives
Der Spiegel magazine, citing diplomatic circles in Brussels, revealed that the European Union is preparing new sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. A message to both Tehran and Washington.
In the latest issue of the weekly magazine Der Spiegel, published on Saturday (January 20), it was revealed, citing diplomatic circles in Brussels, that Germany, France, and Britain are seeking to impose new sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The EU wants to counter the Islamic Republic's destabilizing policies in the region with these sanctions. According to Der Spiegel, Iran supports the Houthi rebels in the Yemeni war as well as Hezbollah militias in Lebanon, sides with Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war by sending military aid, and sends troops to Syria on civilian aircraft.
Spiegel adds that by encouraging European partners to impose new sanctions, Germany is trying to target Iran's missile program on the one hand and show that they are not indifferent to Iran's policies, and on the other hand, to tell US President Donald Trump that they take his criticisms of the JCPOA seriously.
The EU's main goal, however, is to preserve the JCPOA, which was signed in 2015 by the P5+1 group and Iran. Trump calls the agreement "the worst deal in American history" and has threatened to withdraw from the JCPOA.
The US president has given European partners until mid-May 2018 to fix the "terrible flaws" of the agreement.
Preserving the JCPOA at all costs
Der Spiegel writes in its report that the EU wants to preserve the JCPOA agreement at all costs. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in a recent meeting with Federica Mogherini and his British and French counterparts, "If the West cancels the only nuclear agreement that works well, then it would send unpleasant signals, for example to North Korea."
Mogherini also emphasized at the meeting that "the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran has complied with all aspects of the agreement."
Spiegel writes, “By agreeing that the nuclear deal should be separated from other disputes and disagreements with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Europeans have come to the idea that the target of new sanctions should be Iran's missile program.”
The weekly adds: "With these sanctions, the European Union wants to address Trump's concerns and doubts and also prevent the JCPOA from being damaged."
Spiegel also noted that arms embargoes on Iran, as well as sanctions related to human rights violations, remain in place.
Source: DW
