Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Mazaheri, University Professor

However, it should be said that the European Troika, as key players in the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA), despite being ignored by Trump, can play a complementary role, like China and Russia, in shaping the diplomatic atmosphere around the Iranian nuclear issue and achieving results out of the negotiations. A review of their recent positions shows that their approach to the ongoing negotiations combines concern, caution, and an attempt to maintain political influence. The positions of the three European countries towards the recent nuclear talks between Iran and the United States seem to be influenced by several key factors:

1. All-out support for the Israeli regime; in line with the Israeli regime’s officials who are always trying to sensitize the world public opinion to the risk of Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb and, if possible, to turn the new agreement into a pretext for ending Iran’s nuclear program, the European troika also constantly emphasizes preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and, in fact, in their positions, repeats the concerns and demands of the Israeli regime.
2. Sensitivity and concern about being left out of the negotiations: The US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and the current indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States have marginalized Europe’s role. France, in particular, has expressed dissatisfaction with this issue and emphasizes that any agreement must ensure Europe’s security interests. Despite being more cautious, Germany supports the ongoing negotiations and wants them to align with its interests. Given its traditional proximity to US policies, the UK is also trying to play a moderate, cautious, and mediating role. Still, it remains concerned about the consequences of any agreement that European countries are not involved in.
3. Possible use of the capacity and leverage of the trigger mechanism and sanctions: The E3 have repeatedly threatened to activate the trigger mechanism and reimpose UN sanctions on Iran if European security is compromised or the negotiations fail. This threat has been raised, especially by France, as a pressure lever to influence the negotiation process; However, Europe seems reluctant to activate this mechanism unless it concludes that sanctions may be able to steer a resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue towards its interests. Moreover, since Iran has fulfilled all its JCPOA commitments and safeguards obligations by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s regulations, and its reactions after the US withdrawal from the JCPOA and the failure of European countries to implement their commitments under the JCPOA were completely legal and under the supervision of the Agency, the Troika knows very well that resorting to the trigger mechanism has no logical or acceptable justification for world public opinion.
4. Regional and non-nuclear concerns: Although Iranian officials have always emphasized that nuclear negotiations should be limited to nuclear issues, European countries, especially France and Britain, raise issues such as Iran’s missile program, support for the axis of resistance, and Iran’s alleged military cooperation with Russia in the Ukraine war as the main obstacles to improving relations with Iran, and they want these issues to be raised and resolved alongside Iran’s nuclear file, which is unacceptable to Iran and understandable to the US.

To implement his election promises and show his superhero and global problem-solver stance, Donald Trump is trying to remove the obstacles and impediments from the agreement process with Iran and focus solely on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb. However, the US President is also under intense pressure from domestic extremists in the US and the Zionist lobby. Considering the above, our country’s Foreign Minister must strengthen further his good initiative to justify the three European countries, such as Russia and China, to gain their trust and address their possible concerns through transparent dialogue, and to pursue the support and cooperation of these countries to advance the current negotiations with the US better and resolve the nuclear issue.

Obviously, by removing concerns and resolving the nuclear issue and lifting sanctions, a suitable platform will be provided for expanding Iran’s diverse commercial and economic cooperation with the United States, Europe, China, Russia, and other countries of the world, and implementing various projects in Iran that will include the common and mutual interests of Iran and these countries.

On the other hand, as has been done in recent weeks, Iran can, through greater cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, especially in the field of inspections and providing more accurate reports, remove the excuse of concerns about enrichment from European countries. Separating nuclear from non-nuclear issues is another strategy in dealing with European countries; Iran should emphasize in negotiations with these countries that non-nuclear issues, such as human rights or regional policies, should not be tied to nuclear negotiations, which could be the subject of separate talks in different areas.

This discussion can advance in a way that makes Europe feel that Iran is paying attention to its concerns, without stopping the nuclear negotiations. Engaging with European public opinion is another crucial step in this regard; in a situation where the Iranian opposition abroad and their media have portrayed Iran in a highly negative and gloomy atmosphere in the international community, diplomatic officials should use the tools of public diplomacy to improve the country’s image in the global arena, especially in Europe. Publishing articles and interviews with Iranian officials in reputable European media, holding joint cultural and scientific meetings, and inviting European journalists to visit Iran can help reduce misunderstandings.

Finally, it should be said that at the current stage, to pave the way for the formation of a strong and effective nuclear agreement, Iran must attract the support of these countries by adopting active diplomacy, clarifying its approaches, strengthening economic relations, and prudently separating nuclear from non-nuclear issues, and preventing them from sabotaging its work. In this regard, balancing preserving national interests and pride and creating an atmosphere of trust with Europe is crucial. Success in this task will help advance the nuclear negotiations and strengthen Iran’s position in the international system.