Tehran: EU has no ‘moral standing’ to lecture Iran on human rights
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Greek and Austrian counterparts that the European Union has no “moral standing” to lecture Iran on human rights, pointing to the European governments’ double standards over the Israeli regime’s crimes in the region.
Araghchi made the remarks in separate phone calls with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger on Thursday, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
In his call with Gerapetritis, Araghchi criticized the EU’s “hypocritical” approach to human rights. He pointed to the support of some European countries for Israel and their indifference to the killing of Palestinians and war crimes in Lebanon and Iran.
Araghchi rejected recent EU statements alleging human rights violations in Iran. “The European Union, due to its performance in the field of human rights, has no moral standing to lecture others,” he said.
He made a similar argument in his conversation with Meinl-Reisinger, denouncing the EU’s passive position toward Israel and the broad support provided by some European countries for occupiers of Palestinian lands.
Araghchi said European policies were contributing to the continuation of Israel’s occupation and genocide in the Palestinian territories. He called on the EU to reconsider its approach to developments in West Asia.
He also condemned the EU’s “interventionist” stance toward Iran and its support for anti-Iran terrorist elements.
The criticism comes as the European Union, along with a few other countries, including Canada, issued a meddlesome joint statement and criticized the use of capital punishment against foreign-linked rioters in Iran.
The two calls also focused on regional security and the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi said Iran and Oman were holding discussions on mechanisms for managing future navigation through the strategic waterway and determining safe passage routes for ships.
He noted that the current insecurity in the strait is the result of “illegal aggression” by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Araghchi said Iran had entered the diplomatic process in good faith and that an understanding to end the war had been signed on June 18, referring to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. He added that Washington of violated the MoU, imposing a maritime blockade on Iran and carrying out attacks against military and civilian targets, which heightened tensions and insecurity around the Strait of Hormuz.
In the call with Gerapetritis, Araghchi stressed Iran’s determination to defend its national interests and security.
The Greek foreign minister expressed support for diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and offered Greece’s technical and expert assistance.
Meinl-Reisinger, meanwhile, pointed to the importance of restoring stability and security in the region and returning to normal conditions through diplomatic solutions.
The Iranian and European ministers also agreed to continue consultations and work to preserve their longstanding bilateral relations.
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