The journey from Heiko Maas in Iran shows that Europe plays in the Middle East is little more than the role of a well-meaning statists. And yet, these diplomatic efforts are important, says Matthias von Hein.
Federal foreign Minister Heiko Maas (l) during a Meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran
Germany’s foreign Minister, came up empty-handed to Tehran. With empty hands, he left again. The “wonders of Tehran” has failed to materialize; neither the nuclear deal has saved the course in the Region to de-escalate. Oversized expectations you had in this “journey into the crisis,” as it is called river Maas, spokesperson, anyway, do not put. Because the actually Responsible for the escalation in the Gulf was not in the talks at the table: The United States.
Europeans to offer Tehran anything
Their campaign to “maximum pressure” from the constricted how does Iran economically the air. Oil Exports have collapsed, Inflation gallops, the currency is in free fall. As policy, the pressure in the boiler rises in the Iranian interior. Result: Iran is slow at the end of its previously practiced “strategic patience”. Tehran asks for concrete aid against the US sanctions, or better still, their abolition. Otherwise, Tehran threatens from 7. July with a dose of its obligations under the nuclear agreement, especially the enrichment of uranium to Violate the authorized level.
DW-editor Matthias von Hein
More than the reference to the in January, of the European exchange market INSTEX to circumvent us financial sanctions Heiko Maas could not offer but. So far, not a single transaction but has been on INSTEX settled. Although the Europeans have good reasons to commit to the nuclear deal. While trying to keep the agreement against the will of the US Administration for life, but a helpless character. The return to the controlled renunciation of nuclear weapons promised economic exchange and trade, you can’t deliver. The fear is specifically of banks, or the US-invested enterprises to be targeted by the US financial authorities.
In addition, the position that Washington does not seem to be in agreement as to the objectives pursued in Iran actually complicated: the regime change that it has in mind security adviser John Bolton? Or is it just a “better Deal” from the Dealmaker-in-Chief, U.S. President Donald Trump? And if you want actually talks, as both Trump as well as his foreign Minister, Mike Pompeo explained why this offer is garnished screw immediately with a further Tightening of the sanctions, like last Friday happen? Anyway, the question of why Tehran should not trust new promises from the White house, where the United States was already now to the negotiated agreement would be?
Each conversation channel is important
And yet: After the aircraft carrier, soldiers and bomber squadrons in the Persian Gulf Region have been laid, it is good that the diplomats on the road. The situation is highly dangerous. Although no side wants to. the war – with the possible exception of John Bolton, but each makes ready for him, and expects him Misunderstandings in this location can potentially trigger a disaster.
And each conversation channel is Gold. Specifically, if somewhere in Washington and Riyadh are connected to these channels. As with the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, in Tehran on Wednesday, also travels on behalf of Trump. Or – also on Wednesday – during the visit of the crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed, in Berlin.
In the end, however, no way to direct talks between Tehran and Washington over. The whole world has an interest in such discussions and Maas will be advertised in Tehran in favour of it. But: With the knife of the sanctions on the throat of Iran is at the negotiating table.