Chairman for the Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security in Iran Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Thursday that Tehran may turn to China and Russia to counter sanctions being prepared against it by the European Union.
He said that the EU is leaning towards adopting three economic sanction packages against Tehran over its ballistic missiles program, its role in the region and human rights record.
Iran may seek economic rapprochement with Beijing and Moscow in order to confront this plan.
“European countries are being influenced by the US, but we believe that we can turn to the East and employ the powers of important countries such as China and Russia,” Boroujerdi added.
“China and Russia could be the solution in regards to economic ties,” he explained.
The EU sanctions are part of attempts to address the flaws in the 2015 nuclear deal before a May 12 deadline announced by US President Donald Trump.
Trump sees three defects in the deal: its failure to address Iran’s ballistic missile program; the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites; and “sunset” clauses under which limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire after 10 years.
He wants all three strengthened if the United States is to stay in the deal.
Trump delivered an ultimatum to the European powers on January 12, saying they must agree to “fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal” or he would refuse to extend the US sanctions relief on Iran that it calls for.
US sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh “waivers” to suspend them on May 12.
Addressing last week’s sacking of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and potential appointment of former FBI head Mike Pompeo as his successor, Boroujerdi said that Trump wants to approve policies on the nuclear deal that were opposed by the former State Department chief.
He described Pompeo as antagonistic to Iran and the nuclear agreement.
Iran will take measures that protect its national interests and priorities if Pompeo is officially appointed, he vowed.
