Interview with the EU Foreign Policy Spokesperson: We Do Not Intervene to Change Iran's Regime

Peter Stano, the senior spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union, is optimistic about the relationship between the EU and the Islamic Republic. He still considers the revival of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) accessible and states, "We must strive for it." In an exclusive interview with Radio Free Europe journalist, Mr. Stano describes any EU efforts to change the Iranian regime as "interventionism" and says, "We do not want to take such action." He believes that the only tool the EU has in response to civil protests in Iran and human rights violations by the government is the imposition of sanctions; sanctions that, according to him, are not meant to be a magic wand that changes all conditions. When asked about some EU representatives' criticism regarding the issuance of a condolence message for the death of Ebrahim Raisi, he gives a diplomatic response: "We observed the rules of politeness." In another part of this conversation, Mr. Stano describes the elimination of Qassem Soleimani as a type of "extrajudicial killing." The detailed conversation continues. Peter Stano, spokesperson for the EU's foreign policy, I would like to know if you consider the EU's responses to human rights violations in Iran, especially regarding the nationwide protests of 1401 (2022), sufficient? The EU cannot act as an "interventionist" organization in response to the nationwide protests of the Iranian people and play a role in changing governments. The EU does not agree with human rights violations in Iran, especially regarding protests and political distinctions, and condemns them. We have issued statements repeatedly, which is the largest public action we can take. Politically, we are conveying messages, and that is not everything. To emphasize our dissatisfaction with these actions and our commitment to the people of Iran, we have also imposed sanctions against officials in the judiciary or repressive forces. We are not an interventionist organization, and we cannot come to a country and change the regime. Regime change must come from within. Peter Stano, senior spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy of the EU, imposing sanctions against officials of the Islamic Republic is "a very powerful sign" that proves to the people of Iran that Europe knows these individuals and what they have done. If the judiciary in Iran does not prosecute human rights offenders, at least the EU will punish them with sanctions; because there is no other tool for this. We are not an interventionist organization, and we cannot come to a country and change the regime. Regime change must come from within. Our sanctions are never a magic wand. They do not solve all issues. Sanctions are just one of the tools we use to highlight our actions or positions. They work over time, but of course, they do not save everything. Your response to many people in Iran who see the EU as appeasing the Islamic Republic? We do not appease the regime; we discuss with them, and this is part of diplomacy. We use the tool of sanctions and sanction the IRGC for all the bad things they do. We impose sanctions on the Iranian regime, institutions, and individuals responsible for delivering weapons to Russia and Syria. You previously stated that the EU is committed to reviving the JCPOA and that this agreement is not dead yet. Given recent developments and the situation where the Iranian and Israeli governments are on the brink of military conflict, can we still hope for an agreement with the Islamic Republic? Absolutely. We believe that the JCPOA can still be revived. Despite numerous disagreements, the EU can still reach an agreement with the Islamic Republic. Even considering recent developments and the situation where the Iranian and Israeli governments are on the brink of military conflict, there is still hope for a nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic. Everyone must fully adhere to their commitments. This includes the return of the United States to the agreement. Of course, the EU, as a signatory, is not a party to the agreement, but we believe that the JCPOA can still be revived. Europe can be a coordinator, mediator, or facilitator in this process. Therefore, our role is not to declare this agreement dead or alive. Our role is to ensure that all participants adhere to this agreement, and that is what we continue to do. I think it has been almost two years since efforts to revive the JCPOA began, and during this time, there has been a relative halt. Negotiations took place at that time. We reached a point where a compromise was made, and only a political decision was needed in the capitals for the agreement, but unfortunately, due to multiple regional and global factors, including Russia's war against Ukraine, this agreement reached a deadlock. However, some time ago in New York, we witnessed new actions starting. Fortunately, it seems that the position of the new Iranian government is more pragmatic, and they are sending signals that they are willing to reach an agreement. We do not overlook extrajudicial killings. For example, when Qassem Soleimani [former commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC] was killed, we did not celebrate. Everyone knows he was a bad person, but we believe in human life, justice, and the rule of law. We do not believe in extraterritorial or extrajudicial killings. Peter Stano, will Russia's use of Iranian drones in the war against Ukraine and Iran's recent missile actions be an obstacle to advancing diplomacy? We will not negotiate with Iran regarding ballistic missiles. Of course, these missiles are currently a major concern due to their provision to Russia, which is using them in its illegal invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, this issue has recently been raised as a separate topic, but missiles are not part of the JCPOA negotiations; what we are doing is similar to negotiating for the return of the United States to what we previously had. So putting new things on our agenda is not our intention; otherwise, a new round of negotiations would open, which could last for years. The issuance of a condolence message by the EU on the occasion of the death of Ebrahim Raisi, the former president of Iran accused of human rights violations, led to criticism from some of its own representatives and even some leaders of European countries. For example, Mr. Geert Wilders, a Dutch politician, likened this action to "solidarity with evil." I can confirm that this message angered some political activists in Iran as well. What is your response to them? First of all, when someone dies tragically and unexpectedly, it is considered a tragedy; because ultimately, regardless of who they are, they are a human being. We in the European Union value human life. Therefore, expressing condolences is a basic human courtesy; because we deal with governments. We do not choose to like or dislike someone. These individuals control the government. The whole world officially recognizes them. Individuals like the president or foreign minister are those whom the entire world deals with. Therefore, by expressing condolences, we simply observed the rules of politeness. We never said we miss them; rather, we feel that with their death, some people may also feel this tragedy. So this was a good way to stand by the people of Iran. We believe that if we do not like someone, there are other ways to express our dissatisfaction or displeasure with them. We also do not overlook extrajudicial killings. For instance, when Qassem Soleimani [former commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC] was killed, we did not celebrate. Everyone knows he was a bad person, but we believe in human life, justice, and the rule of law. We do not believe in extraterritorial or extrajudicial killings. You described the EU's relationship with Iran as "complex" and "sensitive" in a comment in May. Can you explain what factors contribute to this complexity? There are many factors; our relationship today is at its lowest level for various reasons for a long time. The last reason is the support for Russia in its illegal invasion of Ukraine by providing drones and even recently with missiles. Another issue is the internal repression in Iran, Mahsa Amini, and every other case; every time a democratic movement emerges, it is suppressed. A very significant issue is the arbitrary detention of EU citizens. This is a very large triggering factor; because they are detained for political reasons. We do not like it, and we give the regime the feeling that we do not like it. Another issue is uranium enrichment. Therefore, there are four very important issues that darken our relationship, and we are trying to gradually resolve them. That is why we are engaging to force them to change this behavior.