As of now, no machines of Iranian airline Mahan Air is allowed to land in Germany. The foreign policy spokesman of the FDP, Bijan Djir-Sarai, a presumed American pressure behind the decision.
Deutsche Welle: Why the recent Iran-sanction of the Federal government, of all things, Mahan Air?
Bijan Djir-Sarai: The allegation that the leadership of this airline is to Share from the revolutionary guard, and the transportation of the militia close to Iran, the Syria conflict is involved, is already longer in the room. There is also from the Iranian side, there is no denial.
How would you rate ban the Country? There is only one sanction among many – or more?
You can’t rate now, you have to wait and see. I do, but for a long time the observation that the patience of the Europeans draws to a close with the Iran to the end. You risk with the Americans armed, and holding desperately to the nuclear deal. While the power of Iran’s merrily – just think of the spying allegations that it has given now, or the activities of Iranian intelligence services in Europe. Also, the policy of Iran in the Middle East makes it the Europeans always harder on the agreement.
Bijan Djir-Sarai is since 2017 a foreign-policy spokesman for the Free Democrats in the Bundestag
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has just confirmed the other day by the foreign Affairs Committee that we are going to hold on to the nuclear deal with Iran, then all other issues into the conversation. And because after more than a year already, the question is: How successful these talks are going? Apart from that: That big companies in Iran have always maintained close Connections with the revolutionary guards, is no Surprise, because they are in power in Iran, in the meantime, Yes a great economy. Economically, nothing goes past you.
What is the role played by the USA in the decision of the Federal government? At U.S. airports, Mahan Air is not allowed to land since 2011.
I’m firmly convinced that the United States exercised in the Background, massive pressure on the Federal government. You can see this by the way also to the reactions of the US Ambassador in Germany (Richard Grenell, d. Red.). Of the country to ban today on Twitter welcomed. And he has already been addressed in the past Mahan Air. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that there has been from the U.S. side, pressure.
They believe that further sanctions, Germany will follow on Iran?
It also depends on Iran itself. It is not excluded that further sanctions will follow. You have to say it again clearly: as Long as Germany and the EU is to use the solid, the nuclear deal remains alive, you risk a fight with their closest ally, the USA. They hoped that Iran is rewarded for this behavior and the rule-based policy does not return, only the agreement is lost. Meanwhile, the Europeans, but The Iranians do the same as before. All of this leads to the fact that the policy of the Europeans is not easy. Here is a new Iran-EU strategy is, in my view, absolutely necessary.
The Bundestag members Bijan Djir-Sarai is foreign policy spokesman of the FDP and Chairman of the foreign Affairs Committee. In 1976 in Tehran-born politician uses his political focus on the themes of Integration and human rights and met with opposition groups in Iran.
The interview was conducted by Friedel dove.