Zarif: Some Mental Residues of Sanctions Remain in Europe

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated that some remnants of the sanctions mentality still exist within European monetary systems due to the heavy penalties these companies faced during the sanctions period. According to Mehr News Agency, Zarif expressed during a meeting with a group of Iranian elites and intellectuals residing in Poland that 'Western parties, especially the United States, are not as serious as they should be in fulfilling their commitments under the JCPOA.' He mentioned that the U.S. government and its agencies must reassure global economic entities that they will not face penalties for engaging with Iran. He added, 'Today, the barrier to economic interaction and exchange with Iran is the fear barrier.' Zarif began a five-day tour of four European countries on Sunday, aiming to enhance trade relations. This is Zarif's first periodic trip to Europe following the implementation of the JCPOA. A 60-member economic team is accompanying the Foreign Minister on this trip. He is scheduled to visit Finland, Sweden, and Latvia as part of his tour, which will last until June 5. In a joint press conference on June 10, Zarif and his Polish counterpart, Witold Waszczykowski, stated, 'I believe our ambassador's request in Warsaw for increasing bilateral trade to one billion dollars a year will be realized.' Zarif and his Polish counterpart signed a memorandum of understanding to expand political cooperation. Waszczykowski, who previously served as Poland's ambassador in Tehran, remarked, 'After years of marginalization and even deprivation of its rights, Iran is now returning to the international stage as an important partner and a significant player that can positively influence global equations.' He added, 'We have always felt that Iran is part of the solution, not part of the problem.' The report notes that trade between Iran and Poland has decreased to about $70 million in recent years due to sanctions against Iran's nuclear program. Meanwhile, on June 10, Reuters reported that Michal Kurtyka, Poland's Deputy Minister of Energy, stated that the country is negotiating with Iran to cooperate in the oil and gas sector, which could lead to exploration and production contracts. Last year, the CEO of Poland's state-owned natural gas distribution company (PGNiG) mentioned that the company is exploring various options for oil and gas exploration and production in Iran as soon as sanctions are lifted. Zarif's trip to Warsaw comes weeks after he stated that the United States must take solid steps to encourage foreign investors to engage in Iran. Despite the lifting of many sanctions, the U.S. still maintains sanctions related to Iran's missile program. European banks, which often have branches in the U.S., hesitate to engage in trade with Iran due to concerns over U.S. sanctions.