Chairman of the Parliament Commission: Europe is Delaying Practical Cooperation with Iran

The chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament criticized the Europeans for their 'delay' in practical cooperation with Iran regarding sanctions, in response to Austria's rejection of hosting the European financial channel. He described Iran-Europe relations as 'always lukewarm,' stating that they have 'not had any practical effect in countering Iran's sanctions.' His remarks came after Austria officially announced it would not host the institution that Europe intends to establish for financial communications with Iran during U.S. sanctions. Reuters also reported that no European country is willing to host such an institution due to fears of U.S. sanctions. Mr. Flahati-Pisheh stated, 'At a time when the European Union should advance positive relations with Iran, we see a nationalistic perspective prevailing in the EU, and member countries are trying to avoid engaging in hosting a financial channel with Iran.' He noted that this 'delay' in European cooperation, especially regarding the financial channel, has raised 'serious questions' among Iranian officials. He added that over time, the 'delay' of European countries in cooperating with Iran will become 'apparent,' and 'nothing has practically happened in the calculations between Iran and the EU, and what is more evident is the pursuit of negative policies that practically challenge relations between Iran and the EU.' Flahati-Pisheh also announced that the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission will discuss the delay in the European financial mechanism on Sunday, November 27. He added that the Islamic Republic must strengthen its 'policies' in countering sanctions and not delay 'bilateral relations with other countries' due to relations with countries like the EU. In this context, Reuters previously reported that although Europe is trying to establish a special mechanism for non-dollar trade with Iran, the unpreparedness of European countries to host the trade mechanism with Iran could undermine Europe's plans to maintain trade with Iran after U.S. sanctions. The issue of non-dollar trade mechanisms with Iran is very sensitive, as the Islamic Republic has threatened to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement if it does not benefit from the economic and trade advantages of the deal. Meanwhile, Europe is concerned that the collapse of the JCPOA could empower hardline factions and increase Iran's aggressive activities in the Middle East. Flahati-Pisheh also stated in another interview that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will attend the commission meeting on Sunday, November 27, to explain his recent statements regarding money laundering. He described Zarif's comments about the existence of 'widespread' money laundering in Iran, which many benefit from, as 'surprising,' adding, 'Since I took over the presidency of the National Security Commission, such a discussion has never been raised by the Foreign Ministry in meetings regarding FATF-related bills.' He stated that the reasons for the confidentiality of the National Security Commission's meetings were that 'no discussion should be raised without providing documentation.' This representative noted that '50 percent of money laundering crimes (globally) occur in the U.S.' and added that 'Iran is not among the red-listed money laundering countries.' Zarif's remarks have faced backlash from several parliament members, being labeled as 'malicious and unfounded,' and have also been criticized by Hossein Shariatmadari, representative of Ali Khamenei at the Kayhan Institute. Shariatmadari wrote in Kayhan that Zarif's statements in this regard are not about embezzlement, bribery, or even drugs but rather that 'the opponent' interprets these 'ill-considered' remarks as 'meaning and concept of Iran's financial support for terrorism.' Mohammad Javad Amiri, Secretary-General of the Martyrs' Society, also called on the Iranian Parliament to 'not simply pass over this issue and to demand an explanation from Mr. Zarif.' Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, while insisting on the existence of 'widespread' money laundering in the country, described the criticisms from several parliament members regarding Mohammad Javad Zarif's statements as 'misuse and factional exploitation.'