#eusanctions

Tehran sends a clear message to Washington and its allies: Americans, Europeans Will Fail. may sting, but threats will backfire. More tension in the Persian Gulf as Iran asserts that no amount of pressure on it will make it yield. https://youtu.be/JFw10wtflVo?si=YOSAt9GavZ7cL2Gy In a dramatic turn of rhetoric, Iran has launched a vicious counter-attack against former US President Donald Trump and European leaders as nuclear tensions increase. The comment, issued by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and supported by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, denounced Washington and its European allies for employing preemptive coercion and "political bullying" to quash Tehran's nuclear plans. By announcing that Americans, Europeans Will Fai," Tehran defied, asserted its determination to resist foreign pressure, and, in so doing, raised the prospect of renewed hostilities in the Persian Gulf. Americans, Europeans Will Fail: This is not just about back-and-forth polemics on podiums. For millions of ordinary Iranians who have lived under years of sanctions, every inch up in escalation means higher prices, fewer jobs, and more shuddering to what might come next. And families in the Persian Gulf feel too real the scenarios of small mistakes blowing up into big things, considering that U.S. naval ships almost pass by sight with Iranian patrol boats. This exchange of hot rhetoric is a turning point for international diplomacy as both sides dig in on the future of the 2015 nuclear accord and the precarious balance of security across the region.Iran has promptly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump and European allies after they renewed threats concerning the nuclear program of Iran Tehran Resists Western Pressure US President Donald Trump has revived threats against Tehran's nuclear program. Iranian officials have said that any effort by Washington or the EU to re-impose sanctions or look at the use of force would "fail miserably." In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced recent European moves to activate snapback sanctions under the 2015 nuclear agreement as "illegitimate, politically motivated, and bound to fail." He accused Europe of having "fallen into Trump's bullying" and squandering years of skilled diplomacy. Trump's comments earlier this week indicated that if Iran were to restart its uranium enrichment or increase its missile program, the U.S. would take "forceful action." This remark recalled his first term's tense confrontation between Washington and Tehran. Iran's leaders did not waste time in reacting. The nation's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, threatened that Iran would face dire repercussions if attacked. FAQs on Americans, Europeans Will Fail 1. Why did Iran issue this statement now?Iran reacted to fresh U.S. threats by Donald Trump and European snapback sanctions under the JCPOA. 2. What exactly did Iran’s Foreign Minister say?Abbas Araghchi said, “Americans and Europeans will fail,” calling their sanctions illegitimate and politically motivated. 3. Did Iran threaten military retaliation?Yes. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei warned that any strike on Iranian soil would provoke a “strong and unforgettable blow.” 4. How are Europeans involved in this dispute?Europe’s role stems from being co‑signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal; they triggered snapback sanctions citing Iran’s enrichment breaches. 5. What is Iran’s main grievance with Europe?Tehran accuses Europe of abandoning its role as a neutral mediator and bowing to U.S. pressure FOR MORE BLOGS - beyondthepunchlines.com Read the full article

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Austria on Tuesday – a country that traditionally has good relations with Moscow. His trip, however, might have wider implications for a Europe that seems to be at a crossroads. Austria has had constructive and pragmatic –if not friendly– relations with Russia and its predecessor, the Soviet Union, since the establishment of the Second Republic back in 1955. Vienna has also strived to keep it that way through the recent turbulent years, marked by increased tensions between Russia and Europe. Even though it had to join anti-Russian sanctions after Russia’s reunification with Crimea and the start of the Ukraine crisis, Austria repeatedly called for easing or even lifting the restrictions, pointing at their ineffectiveness and utter futility. Vienna has also reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation with Russia, particularly in the energy supply field, and prioritized the importance of keeping all channels open for dialog. Moscow also sets a high value on its good relations with the small Alpine nation. Austria was the first European country Putin visited in summer 2014, after the outbreak of the European conflict put a strain on Russia’s relations with the EU. Now seems the right time to give these good relations a boost. Last month, the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz praised Russia as a “superpower” as he expressed Vienna’s desire to “keep the channels of communication with Russia open.” In his interview with the Russian media ahead of Putin’s visit this week, he said he sees a “positive dynamic” in the development of bilateral relations, adding that they have “enormous potential.” Kurz also chose Russia as a destination for his first visit to a non-EU country after he took up the chancellor’s post in what could also be described as a positive sign. His Austrian People’s Party’s coalition partners, the right-wing Freedom Party (FPO), hold an even more favorable view of Moscow. The FPO called for the lifting of anti-Russian sanctions on numerous occasions throughout these years and even vowed to fight for it as part of the Austrian government. The FPO members also visited Crimea in 2017. Austria maintains strong economic ties with Russia, even though bilateral trade between the two nations has been severely hit by a series of sanctions and counter-sanctions imposed by Moscow and Brussels against one another over the course of the Ukraine crisis. Economic ties seem to be recovering: In 2017, the trade turnover between Russia and Austria grew by 40 percent, compared with the previous year. Some 60 percent of Austria’s gas supply also comes from Russia. Since the start of 2018, the Alpine nation has increased its gas imports by an impressive 77.2 per cent, compared to the same period of the already record-breaking previous year. The Russian president’s visit also conveniently coincides with the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Soviet gas supplies to the Alpine nation. The Austrian OMV energy company became the first western enterprise to sign a gas supply agreement with the Soviet Union in 1968. Against such a positive backdrop, Putin’s visit to Austria, his first foreign visit since re-election in March, is poised to be beneficial for both sides in terms of both political and economic relations. However, the two leaders might have some bigger plans in mind than just a bilateral agenda. Austria, which takes pride in its neutrality and geographical location “at the heart” of the European continent, apparently strives to fill a role as a ‘bridge’ in relations between Moscow and the EU, which Kurz says he wants to normalize. One has to admit that a small Alpine nation could hardly be called a political heavyweight in the current European political landscape. Neither is Austria likely to single-handedly undo the damage done to Russian-European relations by the years-long bickering over the conflict in Ukraine, the Syrian war and some other issues. Still, it might be able to influence the situation at a time when the future of European foreign policy seems to be left in a sort of limbo. Kurz has already said that his government would seek to “bridge” the rift between Brussels and some opportunist Eastern European governments, which has been plaguing the bloc for quite some time. The Austrian government, which once called itself pro-EU, also seemingly sided with such countries as Hungary on issues such as migration and Brussels’ excessive interference in the internal matters of EU member-states. The self-proclaimed mediators are scheduled to take over the lead in the EU for six months, starting from July. In the meantime, Europe is still on the brink of a full-scale trade war with its major ally, the US, after President Donald Trump slapped his European partners with import tariffs on steel and aluminum. Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 Iran deal, which the European leaders are desperately seeking to keep afloat, does not make transatlantic relations any easier. The rift in relations between the EU and the US might well push the Europeans towards a closer cooperation with Russia. Notably, Putin has already discussed potential defensive measures against the latest sanctions the US said it would impose on companies dealing with Iran, with none other than the European political heavyweight – German Chancellor Angela Merkel. All these facts do not mean that we will suddenly see a rapid improvement in Russian-European relations or the lifting of anti-Russian sanctions just yet. Still, Austria’s efforts could make some difference and push the matter a little bit further. Besides, a voice of reason and pragmatism amid the waves of anti-Russian hysteria would be a positive change of scenery. Read the full article