German Foreign Minister Heiko Mas went to Tehran empty-handed and returned empty-handed, analysts said. There was no "miracle in Tehran", meaning that it did not save the nuclear agreement, and the escalation in the region remained the same. In any case, no one should expect his visit to the "crisis zone" to yield high expectations, as the MAS spokesman put it. The party actually responsible for the escalation in the Gulf, the United States, was not already on the table. Mas has held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Jawad Zarif, in Tehran in an effort to ease tensions in the Persian Gulf, but experts believe the visit is unlikely to have made any progress. The strangulation of the Iranian economy. Indeed, oil exports collapsed, resulting in a sharp inflation in the country, the currency remained in a state of free fall, and pressure also mounted on Iran's domestic politics. The result is that Iran's strategic patience is running out. Tehran seems to be seeking concrete help to resist US sanctions Or at least suspend them, otherwise, as previously threatened, they will, as of July 7, violate some of the obligations under the control of the nuclear agreement, especially exceeding the limit allowed to enrich uranium.
The Europeans do not have what they offer
In Tehran, Mas stressed the importance of the nuclear deal, saying it was "very important" for Europe's security. He also said that Germany and its European partners "made every effort to fulfill their obligations", but Iran is thinking otherwise. "So far we have not seen practical and concrete steps from the Europeans to ensure Iran's interests," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi. Beyond the nuclear agreement ». "What we expect from the EU is to act in accordance with its commitments," he said, but the German diplomat could do little more than point to the Nestx trading channel as a way to circumvent US financial sanctions. One across this system.
The Europeans support the nuclear deal in good faith, but they are powerless to keep the deal alive, contrary to the will of the US administration, and can not facilitate the economic exchange and trade they promised Iran in return for giving up its nuclear program. Banks, in particular, and companies with investments in the United States, fear to become a target for US financial authorities.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Washington does not seem to have specific means to achieve its objectives in Iran. Is it regime change, as National Security Adviser John Bolton points out? Or just a "better deal" from the dealmaker, US President Donald Trump? If the United States is really eager to hold more talks, Trump and Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo said, why was this offer immediately mixed with another tightening of sanctions, as happened last Friday? In any case, the question is: Why should Tehran trust any new promises coming out of the White House, at a time when the United States already rejects the negotiated deal?
All channels are important
As the aircraft carriers, soldiers and fighter squadrons are already heading towards the Gulf, it is better for diplomats to go there as well. The situation is very dangerous. Neither side wants war with a possible exception to Bolton but everyone is preparing for it and expecting it. That misunderstandings lead to a potential disaster. All channels of communication are priceless, especially if Washington and Riyadh are also connected to these channels somewhere, such as the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Tehran at the request of Trump, or the visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The reign of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to Berlin.
But in the end, direct talks between Tehran and Washington are inevitable. The whole world has an interest in these talks. Mas made the offer in Tehran, but Iran will not sit at the negotiating table while holding the sanctions knife in its throats.
After the United States came out of the nuclear deal signed with Iran and imposed sanctions on it, the government in Tehran threatened to withdraw from the nuclear deal unless other signatories offer help in a halt in which the impact of US sanctions appears to be clear. In May, Tehran said it would begin enriching uranium near levels of weapons production if Europe did not reach new terms for the deal by July 7. Against this backdrop, the German foreign minister tried to salvage the agreement by lifting international sanctions on Tehran. The four-day Middle East trip to Jordan, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates was seen as a major diplomatic mission by Germany, To ease tensions and perhaps avoid a military confrontation in the Middle East.
A broader conflict
Tensions between Washington and Tehran are no longer limited to Iran's nuclear deal. It has escalated dramatically over the past month as the United States accuses Iran of continuing its malicious activity and unspecified threats against the United States and its allies. Washington has also increased its military presence in the region by deploying an aircraft carrier, rocket and a B-52 squadron.
"From Iran's point of view, Tehran will lose all influence against the United States if it abandons Yemen and Syria and abandons its missile program," says Iranian journalist and political analyst Mehdi Mahdavi Azad. Mas said these concessions were seen as "small concessions", but for Tehran, they were "real trump cards" against Washington. He pointed out that achieving balance is the "fundamental challenge" facing Mas, "For this reason it became clear from the outset that the visit of the German Foreign Minister will face failure." Mas now has a difficult task. While the Iranian authorities want talks to be confined to a nuclear deal only, Iran's weapons development program and its support for Shiite groups in the Middle East remain a source of concern not only in Washington but also in European capitals.
Mas described Iran's ballistic missile program as "problematic". The comments were not accepted in Tehran. "The European officials are not in a position to comment on Iran's issues outside the nuclear deal," said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.
Iranian officials also accused Europeans of not having a consensus on their dealings with Tehran. Mehdi Mahdavi Azad said German-Iranian relations had not been in good shape in recent months. "Germany is dissatisfied with Iranian missile activities, Tehran's role in Yemen and Syria, and at the same time, Iran is dissatisfied with Germany's inability to help circumvent US sanctions."
Mas faces a difficult task. While the Iranian authorities want talks to be limited to a nuclear deal only, Iran's weapons development program and its support for Shiite groups in the Middle East remain a source of concern not only in Washington but also in European capitals.