US claims that Europe’s €18m aid will ‘stifle meaningful change’ in Tehran
▶ As Washington increases sanctions, envoy says Brussels sent ‘wrong message at wrong time’
The senior US envoy on Iran criticised a EU decision to give €18 million in aid to Tehran on Friday, saying it sent “the wrong message at the wrong time”.
“Foreign aid from European taxpayers perpetuates the regime’s ability to neglect the needs of its people and stifles meaningful policy changes,” said Brian Hook, the US special representative for Iran.
“The Iranian people face very real economic pressures caused by their government’s corruption, mismanagement and deep investment in terrorism and foreign conflicts.
“The United States and the European Union should be working together instead to find lasting solutions that truly support Iran’s people and end the regime’s threats to regional and global stability.”
The EU decision on Thursday to provide €18m (Dh76.9m) to Iran was to offset the effects of US sanctions as the bloc tries to salvage the 2015 agreement for Tehran to limit its nuclear programme.
President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the nuclear deal in May and is reimposing sanctions on Tehran, as other parties to the accord are trying to save the agreement.
The president described the deal as “decaying and rotten”.
The EU funding is part of a €50m package set aside for Iran, which has threatened to stop complying with the nuclear accord if it fails to receive sanctions relief. The US is pressing other countries to comply with its sanctions.
US National Security Adviser John Bolton said during a visit to Israel last week that the return of US sanctions was having a strong effect on Iran’s economy and popular opinion.
The US sanctions this month were aimed at Iran’s car industry, trade in gold and other precious metals, and purchases of US dollars crucial to international financing and investment and trade relations.
Farther-reaching sanctions are to follow in November on Iran’s banking sector and oil exports.
On Friday, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said some members of oil producer group Opec were acting in accordance with US policies, Iran’s Khaneye Mellat news agency reported.
“Some members are interpreting the latest Opec decision on oil output differently and are acting in accordance with the policies of the US,” Mr Zanganeh said.
Opec agreed with Russia and other oil-producing allies in June to raise output from July, with Saudi Arabia pledging a “measurable” supply boost but giving no specific numbers.
Iran told Opec this month that no member country should be allowed to take over another member’s share of oil exports, expressing concern about a Saudi offer to pump more crude amid US sanctions on Iranian oil sales starting in November.
As the US continues to build pressure on Iran, other parties are trying to save the 2015 deal