Seyyed Jalal Sadatian said Europeans have always used human rights as a pretext to apply more pressure on Iran, but the ratification of the punitive measures adopted by the European Union’s Council of Foreign Ministers on Monday made the situation more complicated.
The EU imposed sanctions on Iran’s morality police and information minister, over the recent unrest and deadly protests in the country.
Sadatian said the standoff is partly due to the EU’s anger with Iran over failure to strike a deal and supply fuel to the European markets before the cold season to replace the Russian supplies amid the war in Ukraine.
Iran’s alleged support for Russia with drones and other military equipment, a claim refuted by Iran on numerous occasions, have further complicated the matter, the former envoy added.
The remarks came as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi stated on Tuesday that negotiations to save the JCPOA are at a stalemate.
