Pezeshkian slams Europe’s failure to act during US-Israeli war against Iran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has criticized European countries for inaction during the recent US-Israeli war against Iran, saying some states remained passive but not impartial in the course of the war. 

Pezeshkian made the remark during a meeting with President of the European Council António Costa on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

He said Iran witnessed “passivity" from some countries but not “neutrality” during the 40-day war launched by the US and the Israeli regime late in February.

“We expect European countries to reconsider their approach and preserve their independence. During the recent war, we saw inaction from some countries, but we did not see neutrality,” he added.

He noted that European countries, by aligning themselves with hostile US actions, had deprived themselves of an effective role in international developments.

The Iranian president reiterated that European countries’ measures regarding the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and efforts related to the so-called snapback mechanism had further undermined Europe's ability to play an effective international role.

Pezeshkian emphasized that all regional countries are duty-bound to ensure security in the region, saying, “The interference of Western governments has affected not only regional security but also global security.”

For his part, Costa expressed Europe's keenness to play a role in regional issues.

The United States and the Israeli regime waged their illegal war of aggression against Iran on February 28. However, 40 days later, on April 8, the enemies were forced to accept a ceasefire amid Iran’s brave resistance and successful retaliatory operations.

On June 17, Tehran and Washington signed the 14-point Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU), which called for an end to hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and further negotiations toward a final agreement.

However, Washington violated all provisions of the understanding, prompting Iran to deliver a firm response.

Iran will resist pressure, force-based policies, President Pezeshkian tells Swiss counterpart

President Masoud Pezeshkian tells his Swiss counterpart that Iran will resist pressure, threats, and policies that are based on force.

In a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Pezeshkian said the Islamic Republic’s firm policy is to expand cooperation with regional and neighboring countries.

He added that Iran would make every effort to implement the agreements reached between Tehran and Yerevan.

The Iranian president also held separate meetings with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on the sidelines of the General Session.

Meanwhile, President Pezeshkian has gifted a copy of a book titled In the Name of Help to his counterparts and senior officials from other countries during all of his meetings.

The book contains documented information on the crimes committed by the United States and the Israeli regime and features photographs documenting aggressive attacks against Iranian civilians and infrastructure, as well as images of those martyred in the 12-day and 40-day wars.

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