EU warns of "extremely dangerous" risk if Iran closes Strait of Hormuz

Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the EU’s Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, underscored the EU's concern about a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz and reiterated its longstanding position that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon.

“We already had a breakfast discussing Iran, but of course, we will discuss this further,” El Anouni said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“Ministers are very much focused on the diplomatic solution. The concerns of retaliation and this war escalating are huge, especially the closing of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is something that would be extremely dangerous and not good for anybody.”

The EU has recently intensified engagement with Tehran, with direct talks held between European and Iranian officials last week. According to El Anouni, Iran showed signs of openness to discussing not only its nuclear programme but also broader regional security issues.

“We had talks with the Iranian minister on July 4, and there Iran was opening up to discuss also the nuclear topic, but also broader security issues that are concerning Europe,” he told reporters. “So definitely, we have to keep this ongoing, because in the end, there has to be a diplomatic solution.”

The nuclear issue remains at the heart of the EU’s concerns. Although the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has all but collapsed following the US withdrawal and Iran’s subsequent nuclear advances, European officials say they are closely monitoring the “snapback” clause – a mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions should Tehran violate the agreement.

“In the JCPOA, we have the obligations in place,” El Anouni noted. “And of course, there in the JCPOA, the snapback mechanism, which is to put all the sanctions back if there is no improvement. That means Iran's economy is not really doing well. It is not good for the Iranian people.”

While the EU acknowledges that Iran’s economic situation remains fragile, Brussels is determined to press ahead with a united front to prevent any nuclear breakout.

“If you look back, then Europe has always had a role,” El Anouni said. “When Iran is willing to talk to us, I think we have to use this opportunity.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev