A Europe divided over #Iran

There is a schism brewing in the foundations of our European DNA. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a Paris based initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering and terror financing, has formally condemned Iran’s destabilizing fiscal actions which have spread terror and chaos throughout the Middle East. 

Yet on the other hand exists the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), established by the European Union to circumvent the U.S. economic sanctions against trade with Iran. INSTEX, which in fact comprises of the FATF members Finland, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, currently has its first transactions being processed. The hypocrisy highlights the fast approach of a cavernous split of EU countries, both internally and affecting the bloc as a whole.

Whispers of dissatisfaction have already been spreading in the UK, evidently from Dominic Raab’s open condemnation of the regime, hinting at a more hardline approach to the Iran issue looming. Whilst the UK is no longer a member of the Union, they currently remain intertwined with both the JCPOA and FATF and are a resounding voice of reason in elements of foreign policy

Europe is torn.

Adding to the chaotic pot is the outstanding issue of the JCPOA. Europeans are caught in an unyielding flux between pressuring Iran not to breach the deal and still trying to save it.

As Iran continues to flagrantly breach its commitments towards the international community, through terror financing, money laundering and nuclear development, it is clearer than ever that the EU’s contradictory approach is causing unbeknownst harm to the region. They are giving with one hand, and taking with the other. Meanwhile, Iran’s central bank chief dismissed FATF’s decision, assuring the nation that it will have no impact on Iran’s foreign trade or its financial stability. Europe should take the righteous path. The US has led the way with economic sanctions, evidently the only effective option for the rogue nation.

And yet, the arguments against sanctions continue in the wake of the Iranian coronavirus outbreak as the regime blames the US for its own inadequate response. This is a weak defence. Even under maximum pressure, the US has granted a license to allow for certain humanitarian trade transactions with Iran‘s sanctioned central bank. Furthermore, the EU's assistance in Iran is channelled through two international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), the International Committee of the Red Cross and a UN agency that support BAFIA in providing a basic package of assistance to the most vulnerable people.

Europe stands at a crossroads once again, surrounded by a mass of confusion, propaganda and panic.

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