Rouhani: Iran Does Not Seek to Create Problems in Global Waterways

The President of Iran states that the Islamic Republic does not seek to create "problems" in global waterways, but will not "easily" give up its "right" to oil exports. Hassan Rouhani made this statement on Tuesday, August 1, during the presentation of the credentials of Robert Macaire, the new British ambassador to Iran, adding that Iran has "never sought tension in the region." Last month in Switzerland, Rouhani said: "The Americans have claimed that they want to completely stop Iran's oil exports. They do not understand the meaning of this statement, as it makes no sense for Iranian oil to not be exported while oil from the region is exported." However, these remarks, which were interpreted as a threat by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, were later clarified by him. Rouhani stated, "They think that when we say that if Iranian oil is not exported, no one can export oil, we are seeking to close the Strait of Hormuz. In fact, there are many ways, and closing the Strait of Hormuz is the simplest method, but we have many other straits available for this purpose." Senior military commanders in Iran welcomed Rouhani's remarks, including Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, who after the Houthi rebels attacked two American tankers in Bab el-Mandeb, said that "the Red Sea, which was safe, is no longer safe for the presence of Americans." However, American officials, including Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, reacted to these remarks. The Secretary of State stated that Iran "must know that the U.S. is committed to keeping sea routes open and continuing the flow of oil for the entire world." The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategic shipping routes in the world, with about one-fifth of the world's oil needs, nearly 18.5 million barrels of oil per day, passing through it. Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, also announced that if the U.S. seeks to stop Iran's oil exports, it will face "retaliation" from Iran. He did not provide details on how this "retaliation" would occur or its scale and scope. Washington is trying to dissuade Iran's oil customers from buying its oil by November as part of its efforts to restore sanctions against Tehran. In his meeting on Tuesday, Rouhani referred to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and stated that "a clear expression of Europe's position regarding the actions that must be taken to compensate for the illegal withdrawal of the U.S. from the JCPOA is very important for the Iranian people." According to the Iranian President, after the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, "the ball is in Europe's court in the limited time remaining." Robert Macaire, the new British ambassador to Iran, also reported on the "extensive efforts" of European countries to preserve the JCPOA, especially in the economic sphere, calling these efforts "unprecedented." Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the European proposal to Iran, stating that although Europe has given Iran a "political commitment" to preserve the JCPOA, this commitment is not enough. Mohammad Javad Zarif urged European countries that if they are interested in continuing the JCPOA, they should counter the exit of their companies from Iran, adding, "We must witness banking activities and exchanges and the opening of accounts." His remarks come at a time when, despite the European Parliament's vote on a "non-binding" proposal allowing the European Investment Bank to cooperate with Iran, the head of this bank announced that it prefers not to invest in Iran. It has been reported that the pillars of the European Union's strategy to preserve the JCPOA include: granting loans from the European Investment Bank, special actions to protect EU companies from U.S. secondary sanctions (blocking regulations), and the proposal that EU governments turn to direct money transfers to the Central Bank of Iran to avoid U.S. penalties. Now, with the announcement of the European Investment Bank's avoidance of cooperation with Iran, one of the main pillars of this strategy collapses. Iran has repeatedly stated that if the economic benefits outlined in the JCPOA, including oil sales, are not realized, it may exit the JCPOA.