Exclusive: The European Council's Position on Iran's Actions Coincides with the Registration of the 'Special Mechanism'

Informed sources within the European Union informed Radio Farda that on January 28, following the official registration of the EU's 'Special Mechanism' for trade with Iran, the European Council's 'summary' regarding issues related to Iran is likely to be approved. According to a draft of this 'summary' that Radio Farda has seen, the EU will express concerns in a statement regarding Iran's role in regional tensions and Tehran's missile program, while still speaking of cooperation with Iran and support for the JCPOA. In the EU's mechanism, the 'summary' is a collection of political positions on a specific topic that is approved during discussions in the European Council. This 'summary,' expected to be approved on Monday, January 28, refers to multiple issues in the form of 10 points, including 'support for the JCPOA' and 'regret over the return of U.S. sanctions,' as well as the official registration of the SPV. Regarding this mechanism, which is referred to as one of the EU's efforts to preserve the JCPOA, members state that the SPV, as a 'private entity,' is intended not only to positively impact trade and economic relations with Iran but also 'more importantly, to affect the lives of the Iranian people.' EU members also referenced the need for 'progress on necessary reforms regarding Iran's commitments based on the FATF' in their new 'summary' and expressed readiness to continue cooperation with Iran, including providing technical assistance in this area. The Iranian government is committed to passing and implementing four bills expected by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related to combating money laundering, organized crime, and terrorism financing. However, these bills have not had a smooth path through Iran's legislative bodies, and after all four bills faced opposition from the Guardian Council following their approval in Parliament, two bills were passed with the approval of the Expediency Discernment Council members. The Expediency Discernment Council, which is responsible for resolving disputes between Parliament and the Guardian Council, is expected to comment on the bill for joining the Palermo Convention on organized crime on Saturday, January 27, and no timeline has been announced regarding the fate of the bill for joining the Convention on the financing of terrorism. The EU's position regarding other behaviors of Iran, however, addresses member states' concerns about Iran's actions. According to the draft of this 'summary,' which is expected to be approved, the European Council has expressed concerns about 'the intensification of regional tensions and Iran's role in this regard.' Specifically, the Council has addressed its 'serious concern' regarding Iran's military role and the presence of Iranian military forces in Syria. The Council's stronger concern is regarding Iran's activities to develop ballistic missile programs, and this European body urges Iran to cease these activities, 'especially the launch of ballistic missiles,' which are 'inconsistent' with UN Security Council Resolution 2231; the European Council states that such actions by Iran 'lead to greater distrust and make the region less secure.' The Council has also expressed 'deep concern' regarding sensitive actions that Iran is accused of carrying out on the territory of EU member states, as well as serious concerns regarding human rights in Iran, including the execution of minors and the status of women. A statement containing the European Union's summary regarding Iran was supposed to be approved last week at a meeting of the EU foreign ministers, but according to reports from Brussels, this issue was delayed due to the non-registration of the special mechanism (SPV). Brussels is hosting a meeting of the EU's agriculture and fisheries ministers on Monday, January 28, and it is expected that the European Council's statement regarding Iran will be approved at this meeting.