22 Jan. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Iranian Foreign Minister Hosein Amirabdolahian has warned that his country could withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in retaliation for the recent motion passed in the European Parliament against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
“According to the statements of the president of the European Council, the West does not want to designate the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, but if Europe does not change its position, Iran will take reciprocal measures,” Abdolahian said in statements collected by the Iranian news agency ISNA.
When asked if these “reciprocal” measures would be the expulsion of the missions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the exit from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Amorabdolahian said that “there are European politicians like the Minister of Foreign Affairs –Annalena Baerbock–who have little diplomatic experience, so they don’t rely on reason and they don’t correct their position, so any option is within the possibility.”
For the head of Iranian Diplomacy, the decision of the European Parliament is an “emotional” decision. “According to what I have been able to speak with the head of EU Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, and with the president of the European Council, they have said that they do not want to apply the resolution and that the decision has to do with the emotions of some members of the European Parliament”, he pointed out.
The European Parliament adopted last Wednesday a resolution in which it qualifies the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group for alleged violations of Human Rights during the recent riots in the country. The measure was approved by almost the entire Parliament with 598 votes in favour, 31 abstentions and nine votes against.
On Saturday Borrell had a conversation with Amirabdolahian in which he told him that this resolution is non-binding and that it “simply reflects Europe’s concerns,” according to the Iranian press.
Thus, Borrell chose to focus on the diplomatic process during the difficult talks for Iran’s return to the international nuclear agreement. In this regard, the top European diplomat expressed his satisfaction at the news about cooperation between Iran and the IAEA.
