According to "Reuters", Iran, stressing that Europe is not in a position to criticize Tehran for its military capabilities, has called on European leaders to regularize economic ties with the Islamic Republic by ignoring US sanctions reintroduced after Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran signed with world powers, because it was deemed incomplete as it was not permanent and because it did not cover Iran's ballistic missile program or its role in conflicts in the Middle East.
The European signatories of the agreement - France, Britain and Germany - while sharing the same concerns as the United States about Iran's ballistic missile program and regional activities, defended the nuclear deal saying that it at least places limits on Iran's nuclear program and can be the basis for future talks.
"Europeans are in no position to criticize Iran for matters outside the JCPOA - said Zarif according to the state broadcaster, using the acronym for the nuclear deal - Europeans and other signatories to the JCPOA should normalize economic ties with Iran ... we will stop our commitments or act on their measures".
Last month, Iran blocked some commitments under the nuclear deal and warned that the number of commitments would be reduced in 60 days if Europeans fail to protect it from US sanctions.
The German foreign minister Heiko Maas is due to visit Iran this week during which he will explore options to preserve the fragile nuclear non-proliferation pact.
Harsh criticism launched by Ali Larijani towards the French President Emmanuel Macron who, during the meeting he had with Trump, stated that France wants to make sure that Tehran will not obtain nuclear weapons: "We had an agreement until 2025 and we want to go further and have full long-term certainty ... (So) reduce ballistic activity and contain Iran regionally".
According to what Ali Larijani told the Fars news agency "The recent remarks by the French president in a meeting with Trump were shameful. Macron's comments do not match those given to our president, Mr. (Hassan) Rouhani, in their meetings and on the phone".
Iran therefore remains in its position by continuing to declare that its nuclear activities are completely peaceful by refusing to renegotiate its missile program.