Pezeshkian tells European Council president Europe lost global influence by aligning with US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with European Council President Antonio Costa on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he criticized European positions on the snapback mechanism and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). According to Pezeshkian, Europe's actions and its alignment with hostile US measures have pushed European countries out of the cycle of influence in international affairs.

Referring to remarks by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about European countries' assistance to the United States during the recent war on Iran, Pezeshkian said Tehran expected European countries to reconsider their approach and maintain their independence. "We saw inaction from some countries during the recent war, but we did not see neutrality," he said. The Iranian president also stated that regional security should be ensured by countries in the region, arguing that Western governments' intervention had affected not only regional security but global security as well. He added that those seeking the causes of recent developments should examine the conduct of Western governments.

Costa called for a European role in regional affairs. Pezeshkian responded that Europeans had deprived themselves of such a role by aligning themselves with the United States. The meeting took place amid ongoing tensions over the JCPOA and the snapback mechanism, which Iran has criticized as politically motivated. Pezeshkian's remarks reflect Iran's continued push for regional countries to take responsibility for their own security and for European nations to adopt independent policies.

According to Mehr News, the exchange highlighted the diplomatic divide between Iran and European countries over the JCPOA and regional security issues. The report by Mehr News added that Pezeshkian's comments were made during a high-level diplomatic engagement at the UN General Assembly, where leaders gathered to discuss global challenges.