Top EU adviser blames US for Iran tensions
Source: Politico-Europe
Oil tanker attacks are ‘not a particularly extreme or radical response’ to what Tehran views as American escalation in the Gulf, Nathalie Tocci says.
By ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH 6/18/19, 11:50 AM CET Updated 6/18/19, 12:00 PM CET
A special adviser to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini blamed the United States on Tuesday for a rise in tensions between Iran and the West.
"This is happening for one reason that has not been cited so far, which is the fact that the United States has violated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, meaning the Iran deal," Nathalie Tocci said on BBC radio's Today program, telling the U.S.: "You're not living up to your side of the bargain."
Tocci's comments came amid escalating tension between the U.S. and Iran over attacks on foreign oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The United States blames Tehran, which denies it was responsible. They also came just hours before Mogherini is due to hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington.
The EU has shied away from endorsing U.S assertions that Iran was definitely responsible for the attacks on the tankers. But Tocci said it was reasonable to assume it had carried out the attacks.
Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/us-iran-tensions-rise-top-eu-adviser/
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