Pax Americana Demands TOTAL SURRENDER From Iran: Will the Ancient Nation Bend?
You're watching 60 Minutes, the show about essential issues. We're discussing how to react to the US petulance. Today, the State Duma has passed a law on Russian counter-sanctions. Let's try to dig deep into US behavior. Here's a list of 12 requirements that the US had served Iran with. We're connected live to Russia's representative to the UN and other international entities in Vienna, Mikhail Ivanovich Ulyanov. Mikhail Ivanovich, tell us how the events are unraveling. We've seen the 12 requirements and the ultimatum for Iran. At the same time, we're not quite sure if we understand it. Explain us, please. IAEA has access to their objects and can confirm they're not manufacturing prohibited weapons. Then, why do Americans are acting this way? You probably know it better than we do.
Mikhail Ivanovich Ulyanov: Good evening. The problem is that the US policy towards Iran is based on an extremely poor comprehension of the subject. Old experts have already left the State Department, and the new team hasn't yet figured out all the details of the elaborate Iran nuclear deal. Someone has fed very negative information to Trump, and he bought it. Meanwhile, what US officials say often has nothing to do with reality. For instance, for the past 2 years, an additional protocol has been implemented in Iran, as an addendum to the IAEA safeguards agreement. It provides almost unlimited opportunities for inspection activities, and the Agency uses these opportunities to full extent. Besides, the JCPOA, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was accursed by Trump, has the Q Section of Annex one that clearly describes the procedures and allows the Agency to visit almost any object in Iran if necessary, if they suspect that the location is used for illegal nuclear activity, or if there are unstated nuclear materials. It's unclear whether Pompeo is being disingenuous, making requests that are similar to attempts to break down an unlocked door, or if he really believes this. However, this is the current problem of decision-making in Washington. By the way, the same goes for Trump's statement that, if the JCPOA is preserved, Iran will supposedly get a free path to nuclear weapons after 2025. This isn't true either because of Tehran's duties regarding this matter. They must ratify the additional protocol no later than 2023. Such ratification will ensure reliable, constant, and long-term guarantee that Iran won't become a nuclear power. Thus, it's sometimes rather hard to understand what the US politicians say.
— Mikhail Ivanovich, perhaps, we should mail these documents to Trump. Maybe, he hasn't read them to Pompeo. I'm obviously joking. Now, back to serious questions. The US gives plenty of real ultimatums to multiple countries. It gives ultimatums to Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and now, Europe. You work side-by-side with European diplomats every day. How do they react to these ultimatums? How does Europe plan to live when even US is threatening them? Do you think they'll give in or not?
— Those are very interesting questions. I don't think anyone has answers to them today. However, it's obvious that many Europeans, both diplomats and politicians, are shocked by the shameless, absurd, and awkward line of the US behavior as well as their unwillingness to listen to the arguments of those with different opinions. Someone has well called Trump's decision to exit the JCPOA 'an act of political vandalism.' That's fair judgment. This line of action isn't only typical of the US, but of the entire international community. It's been approved by the UNSC. It was the key topic for very hard negotiations and is now successfully implemented; and there are no reasons for such radical measures. Iran conscientiously performs its duties, as confirmed by the IAEA. However, there have been many issues with the US because it hasn't fulfilled all its obligations. So, this is the result of all this. What is now gaining ground in Europe is the opinion that it's time for the Old Continent to become more independent in international relations. instead of blindly following its main ally, its patron that's becoming more unpredictable and irrational. Of course, such change, such upheaval doesn't happen in an instant. However, by making his decision on Iran, Trump has begun or ensured moving in this direction. Right now, Europeans, together with China and us, will try to save the JCPOA, to continue its implementation without the US.
On May 25, another urgent JCPOA Committee meeting will be held here, in Vienna, for the first time without the US. Possible further actions will be discussed there. Europeans have already begun taking actions, including the recent meeting in Sofia. We'll see how effective their solution will be to compensate the losses, caused by the US exiting the deal. It's too early to tell now.
— Thank you.
— However, it's obvious that Europeans currently have great political will.
— Thank you.
— Thank you. That was Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian envoy for international organizations in Vienna. As we can see, Americans allow themselves to act in such way, despite all the documents. We get it, we've heard basically direct threats to assassinate Kim Jong-Un.
Vladimir Pligin, State Duma Chairman's advisor: Obviously, what was said was absolutely horrible. They promise to take the same measures they took against Libya back in the day. We understand that hundreds of thousands of people died in Libya. Libya still remains a divided state, its fate unknown. Before that, the strategy towards Iraq had been implemented, and plenty of people had died there, too. Thus, when the politicians say certain phrases or things, they may be extremely dangerous. They shape a certain habit or almost consent that war might begin. This is a very dangerous misconception, which must be avoided at all cost in politics.
— Sergey Borisovich.
Sergey Stankevich, the Foreign Relations Committee Chairman for the Party of Growth: I really enjoy listening to a true old-school professional. He precisely explained everything, I wish him luck in the upcoming events on May 25 regarding the same matter. What we must remember is that this isn't a deal. Trump keeps calling it a deal, but those 6 countries were negotiating with Iran for 10 years on the UN's behalf. The final document, the JCPOA was approved by the UNSC, becoming international law, integrating into international law. Thus, it's not just some deal that you sign today, and tear up and exit tomorrow, it's an attack on international law. Pompeo speaks at the Heritage Foundation. Europeans looked forward to this speech because of the promised new strategy regarding Iran. Europeans thought he'd suggest everyone who used to work there to revisit negotiations, coming up with more solutions without violating the JCPOA.
— Those naive Europeans.
— No such luck. So, Europe's expectations weren't met.
— The great Stankevich praised the great diplomat Ulyanov.
— At least, let me finish my thought.
Leonid Kalashnikov, KPRF: Ulyanov really is a good diplomat. But, they simply call it a deal, then, the US, simply exited it. He doesn't know what Europeans are to do now, and you call him a great diplomat. We're basically shown how one must work with Americans. As Taruta has said, no matter how much they get, 20-25% or more, they'll still get more brazen until they drag them to a tunnel, like they did with the Libyan leader. And, it will all be covered up with such 'great diplomats.'
Sergey Stankevich: We can't let Americans win, they're getting brazen.
— Calm down, calm down.
— They're getting so brazen, it's out of control.
— Stankevich, calm down, I didn't interrupt you. I let you speak.
— You keep insulting.
— You've interrupted, Leonid Ivanovich.