WANA (Nov 29) – On Thursday in Geneva, a meeting between senior Iranian diplomats and the Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The session, held as part of ongoing Iran-EU dialogues, focused on issues including Iran’s nuclear program, human rights allegations, regional tensions, and Iran’s purported role in the Ukraine war.

 

Enrique Mora, the Deputy Secretary-General of the EEAS, announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he had “frank discussions” with Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Ministers for Legal and Political Affairs, respectively.

 

He emphasized the necessity of a diplomatic resolution to Iran’s nuclear issue and reiterated accusations of Iran’s military support for Russia in the Ukraine war, stating: “Iran’s military support for Russia has to stop to prevent further escalation of regional tensions.”

 

Mora also mentioned that human rights allegations were discussed, describing them as a key topic of concern for the EU.

In response, Kazem Gharibabadi accused the European Union of pursuing a self-centered and irresponsible approach toward both regional and international issues. In a post on X, Gharibabadi stated, “The European Union must stop deflecting its own problems and mistakes, including those related to the Ukraine conflict, by involving others.”

 

He further criticized the EU’s stance on the Gaza crisis, saying: “With the complicit behavior of its major states regarding the genocide in Gaza, Europe has lost its moral authority to lecture others on human rights.”

 

Gharibabadi also accused Europe of ineffectiveness in addressing Iran’s nuclear issue, stating: “Due to its lack of responsibility and confidence, Europe has long been absent as an influential actor in the nuclear issue and must work toward self-recovery.”

 

The talks, held amid ongoing tensions, are set to continue on Friday, with the Iranian delegation scheduled to meet representatives from France, Germany, and the UK. These discussions come against the backdrop of deep disagreements between Iran and the EU, particularly over nuclear negotiations and human rights concerns.