American Officials Traveling to Various Countries 'to Pressure Iran'

Diplomatic sources say that U.S. officials are traveling around the world to pressure countries to cut trade ties with Iran, an action following the U.S. President's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal. Reuters reported on Wednesday, June 6, citing a senior European diplomat, that officials from the U.S. Treasury Department have already traveled to Japan and that 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 fanatical and dogmatic. We have clearly told them that if you want to come here to tell us how to enforce U.S. laws, there is no welcome at all.' Reports indicate that the foreign ministers of the three European countries, along with Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, have sent a letter to their American counterparts asking them to exempt European companies contracting with Iran from Washington's sanctions. This letter, dated June 4, has been signed by the finance and foreign ministers of Britain, Germany, and France, mentioning several commercial areas such as pharmaceuticals, health and hygiene, banking, energy, passenger aircraft, and infrastructure, in which Europe expects to continue cooperation with Iran if granted exemptions from the U.S. sanctions. However, Reuters writes that the travels of U.S. officials indicate that there is no willingness for compromise regarding Iran in Washington. On Tuesday, the U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary warned Washington's partners and the private sector about economic relations with Tehran, stating that those who violate this prohibition must be held accountable. Another EU official said that the U.S. is sending delegations worldwide to deliver this warning message to countries privately regarding economic relations with Iran. Accordingly, according to European diplomats, Andre Pique, the assistant deputy secretary of state for the U.S., traveled to the Czech Republic on Tuesday and to Hungary on Wednesday. The U.S. State Department also confirmed the travel of its representatives to Europe, stating that they are trying to garner sufficient support for pressure on Iran during these trips while explaining U.S. policy regarding sanctions.