UAE: Iran is Trying to Create Division Between the US and Europe

Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, warned European countries on Tuesday, October 3, that their plan to create a 'special mechanism' to circumvent US sanctions may create a glimmer of hope for Iran, but ultimately, the US's hardline approach towards Iran will render it ineffective. Gargash expressed concern about the disagreement among the three European countries—France, the UK, and Germany—with the US over the nuclear deal with Iran, known as the JCPOA. He emphasized that the US and the three European countries agree on the future of Iran's nuclear activities, halting its missile program, and ending Iran's regional activities. Gargash stated that it would be better to resolve these disagreements as soon as possible. He noted that the Iranians are counting on this and may be trying to create a rift between Washington's approach and that of the Europeans. The foreign ministers of the four permanent members of the UN Security Council—France, Russia, China, and the UK—along with Germany, met with Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and announced their efforts to find a way to provide financial and banking facilities to the Islamic Republic and circumvent US sanctions. Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, also stated on Tuesday that although the Europeans' efforts to change the minds of companies that left Iran were unsuccessful, they are still trying to provide economic facilities to Iran. Gargash lamented that the differing opinions on the approach towards Iran are unhelpful and give Iran a sense of life and hope to continue actions that concern everyone. He asserted that Donald Trump's policy of increasing pressure on Iran and the sanctions set to take effect on November 4 will yield results, and Iran will return to the negotiating table within a year. Trump announced the US's withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran on May 8, arguing that the nuclear agreement does not serve US national interests, does not prevent Iran from ultimately acquiring nuclear weapons, and does not stop issues like 'support for terrorism,' 'destabilizing activities,' or the development of Iran's missile program. Following Trump's decision, sanctions against Iran were reinstated. So far, one phase of US sanctions has been implemented, and the second phase, which includes oil sanctions, is set to take effect on November 4, while European countries are seeking ways to preserve the JCPOA and continue economic and trade relations with Tehran.