PHOTO: European Union’s Federica Mogherini with Iran’s Secretary of the National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, on Saturday


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Iran celebrated diplomatic success on Saturday, getting political and economic support from the European Union.

A visit by the EU’s foreign policy head, Federica Mogherini to Tehran produced a joint statement emphasizing fulfilment of the July 2015 nuclear deal, economic cooperation, and promotion of “regional peace, security, and stability”.

See Iran Feature: Europe Gives Rouhani Government a Much-Needed Boost

In sharp contrast to the US, which repeated earlier in the week that Iran will not get access to the American financial system, Mogherini said, “It is in the European interest and in the Iranian interest to make sure that banks engage and feel confident to come to Iran and facilitate and support this new economic engagement.”

Iran’s success came only 24 hours after it suffered a setback at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, where more than 50 countries adopted a communiqué condemning the Islamic Republic and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah for their regional interventions.

See Iran Daily, April 16: Tehran, Hezbollah Criticized by Organization of Islamic Cooperation

Saturday’s joint statement with the EU offered further support for investment and trade, including in the energy sector.

At a press conference with Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif drove home the difference between relations with Europe and with the US by calling on Washington to remove obstacles to Iran’s access to global finance.

Mogherini also gave Iran a boost over the issue of human rights. Instead of any public pressure over Tehran’s executions, political prisoners, and persecution of minorities and dissent — all cited in reports by the UN Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed — the joint statement pledged “cooperative relations”.

There was no reference in the document to Iran’s ballistic missile tests, which have brought new US sanctions and a threat to go to the UN Security Council. And on the Syrian crisis — where Iran has sharply escalated military intervention behind the Assad regime — the statement merely said there would be “humanitarian coordination”.

Iranian officials tried to put further distance between Europe and the US in meetings with Mogherini.

The Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, said the European Union needs to take an “effective measure” against “subversive US acts” over the nuclear deal. He cited the “inappropriate and unconstructive” American approach through continued restrictions on financial transitions and the sanctions over the missile testing.

Iranian media said that Mogherini replied positively by assuring, “Iran has the right to see the tangible outcomes of the implementation of the JCPOA, including the removal of financial restrictions.”

Shamkhani also pressed Iran’s regional interventions, saying the Islamic Republic is playing a leading role in fighting “terrorist groups” in Syria and Iraq: “The long-term presence of Takfiri elements will lead to the spread of insecurity and instability at an international level.”


Video: Iran Displays S-300 Anti-Aircraft Missile System from Russia

For the first time, Iran has displayed part of an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system delivered by Russia.

The S-300 was shown in a military parade on National Army Day.

IRAN S-300

Russia and Iran signed a contract for the S-300s in 2007, but Moscow suspended the deal in 2010 amid US and Israeli objections.

Last April, Russian President Vladimir Putin lifted the suspension. However, despite repeated statements from Iranian officials and Russian arms exporters of imminent delivery, the S-300 was not seen in Tehran until Sunday.

Last week, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said the “first phase” of the deliveries had been completed.

Speaking at the Army Day ceremony, President Rouhani said, “If arrogant powers and their mercenaries in the region do not have a covetous eye on the Islamic Republic, it is because of the country’s powerful Armed Forces.”

Rouhani took the opportunity to promote his foreign policy which had led to the nuclear deal, pushing back critics who have accused the Government of weakness, “Just like the armed forces defended the rights of the people in the eight-year Sacred Defense era [the 1980s Iran-Iraq War], our diplomats well defended the rights of the Iranian people in negotiations with the world powers with courage.”