It appears that the multifaceted aspects of Iranian policy have become manifest. The Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that Tehran will reduce its commitments to the nuclear agreement even further. However, “we can rescind all these steps,” he added, if the European countries implement their commitments. These double standards and contradictions in statements have become a defining feature of Iranian policies.
Such statements are made by extremist and terrorist regimes and movements throughout the world. They make one threat after another, quickly backtrack and then return to threaten again!
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has given Iran’s partners in the nuclear agreement a grace period of 60 days to reach a solution that meets his country’s demands. “Otherwise, we will launch the third stage” of the plan to lower “our” commitments, he said. Iran’s demands are basically related to enabling it to continue selling the oil it produces and engaging in international trade by circumventing US sanctions.
The re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran since August 2018 has caused foreign companies that had returned to Iran in 2016 to leave the country. This has had a major negative impact on the Iranian economy.
By violating its commitments to the nuclear agreement, Iran is risking its nuclear program dossier being referred to the UN Security Council, which has the power to re-impose the sanctions that were lifted from Iran earlier.
Meanwhile, the Europeans, Chinese and Russians are striving to settle the issue without referring it to the Security Council, but reckless Iranian actions are blocking the way to reaching any possible settlement.
In one of his tweets, US President Donald Trump warned the Iranians: “NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. ..., BE CAUTIOUS!” It appears that the Iranians are maneuvering and that they have no choice but to take the route to “Hell’s Gate”. Ultimately, they must bear the responsibility for the choice that they make.
No one wants a war and the region cannot bear new conflicts. However, the regime of the mullahs is increasing the standoff, tension, provocation and escalation in the region. They should understand that the patience of the superpowers has limits!
