Dutch, Austrian FMs due in Iran to discuss intl., regional issues

Iran says the top Dutch and Austrian diplomats will visit Tehran, where they will discuss bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues, mainly the fate of a 2015 nuclear deal and peace in the Persian Gulf region.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Wednesday that Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok and his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, will hear Iran's criticism about Europe’s approach towards the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and its position regarding the US extraterritorial measures.

“In the talks with the two European ministers, apart from examining the bilateral relations and the exchange of views about the major international and regional issues, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s criticism of Europe’s inaction on carrying out its commitments under the JCPOA and its passiveness in the face of the US imposition of extraterritorial law will be emphasized,” he said.

“Moreover, the basic fact will be underscored that the security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz will be fulfilled only through collective participation and interaction among the countries of this region,” he added.

Iran signed the JCPOA with six world states — namely the US, Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China — in 2015. The accord was also ratified in the form of a UN Security Council resolution.

However, Washington’s unilateral withdrawal in May 2018 and subsequent re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran left the future of the historic deal in limbo.

Iran remained fully compliant with the JCPOA for an entire year, waiting for the co-signatories to fulfill their end of the bargain by offsetting the impacts of American bans on the Iranian economy.

As the European parties failed to do so, the Islamic Republic moved in May 2019 to suspend its JCPOA commitments under Articles 26 and 36 of the deal covering Tehran’s legal rights.

Iran has taken five steps in scaling back its obligations under the accord, among them abandoning operational limitations on its nuclear industry.

Additionally on Wednesday, Schallenberg said that he will travel to Tehran this weekend amid what he called efforts by the European countries to keep the JCPOA alive.

Speaking at a news conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin, Schallenberg said that he will be taking a "European message" to Tehran on Saturday and Sunday after also meeting EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell this week.

Maas welcomed the Austrian foreign minister’s planned trip, claiming that the West stands united regarding the objectives of the dialogue with Iran.

Separately, Blok announced in a statement that he is visiting Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates between Wednesday and Sunday to discuss tensions in the Persian Gulf and stress the importance of de-escalation in the region.

He further noted that during his Tehran visit, he will discuss regional tensions and Iran’s nuclear program, saying, “The Netherlands is critical of Iran, but we are seeking cooperation wherever possible. Only by continuing to talk can we address our concerns.”

Blok is also expected to visit Dutch frigate Zr.MS. De Ruyter, which will be active in the Strait of Hormuz from this week. 

“A safe Persian Gulf is of great political and economic importance to us,” he said. “It is important for the Netherlands that the Strait of Hormuz remains safe and open to free traffic. Europe has a role to play in this. The Netherlands takes its responsibility, both militarily and diplomatically.”

The Netherlands has joined the so-called European Maritime Awareness mission in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH), which is purportedly protecting shipping lanes in the strategic waterway.