Iran rejects EU criticism

IRAN dismissed EU criticism of its missile programme, regional policies and rights record yesterday, highlighting an increasingly testy relationship as both sides seek to salvage a troubled nuclear deal.

Iran’s comments came a day after the bloc criticised the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile tests and expressed concern at Iran’s role in Middle East tensions.

The EU has promised to abide by a 2015 nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to limit its atomic work in exchange for sanctions relief, even after US President Donald Trump abandoned the accord because it did not cover Iranian military activities.

The bloc has stepped up criticism of Iran in an approach analysts say is designed to show the US that it is possible to contain Tehran while remaining inside the nuclear pact.

The Iranian foreign ministry said yesterday Iran would not negotiate over its missile programme, which it said was defensive and designed as a deterrent.

Iran has expanded its missile programme in the last two decades, particularly its ballistic missiles, in defiance of the US and concern by European countries, especially France.

As part of EU efforts to sustain the nuclear pact, Britain, France and Germany last week launched the Instrument In Support Of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran and avoid US sanctions.

Iran’s foreign ministry welcomed the new channel, but said it was “late and inadequate”.

Iran would revise relations with Europe if it did not benefit economically from INSTEX, it said. | Reuters