Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned that regional instability strikes a blow to all countries in the region, including Europe, affirming Iran's readiness to take confidence-building measures in the Gulf.
The Iranian warning came during a phone call between Rouhani and Swiss President Guy Parmelin, as reported by the Iranian Fars News Agency today. Rouhani stated that when security in the region is disrupted, Europe will also be affected, noting that Tehran is prepared to take confidence-building measures in the Gulf if other regional countries show the willingness to do so. He emphasized that the peace initiative in the Strait of Hormuz is a step towards achieving collective security in the region and indicated Iran's readiness to take steps to build trust in the Gulf, provided there is a commitment from the countries in the region.
Rouhani stressed that regional instability impacts all its countries, including Europe. Regarding the Yemen issue, he called for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and an end to the supply of weapons to certain countries in the region, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue among Yemenis as a final solution to restore security and stability in the country.
On the nuclear agreement, Rouhani stated that the ball is in the United States' court, urging the Biden administration to lift all forms of sanctions in a practical manner to return the nuclear agreement to its correct path. He affirmed that the removal of sanctions should be tangible rather than merely on paper, which would coincide with Tehran's return to its nuclear commitments, emphasizing that resolving the nuclear agreement's issue requires logic and mutual respect.
Rouhani highlighted that American policies of pressure, threats, and force have failed to solve regional problems and clarified that Washington's maximum pressure policy on Tehran has faltered due to the resistance of the Iranian nation. He noted that the previous U.S. administration halted all efforts to activate the Swiss financial channel and mentioned that Tehran welcomes any initiatives aimed at ensuring regional security and stability.
The Iranian presidency reported that the Swiss president committed to transferring Iran's frozen funds in various countries to the Swiss channel. For his part, the Swiss president confirmed that Iran plays a significant role in the region and can contribute, alongside the European Union, to restoring stability in Yemen. Guy Parmelin emphasized that current international circumstances present an opportunity for all parties to return to the nuclear agreement and fulfill their commitments, adding that Switzerland can play an effective role in this regard.
