Iran: No military option under discussion on the European side

(BRUSSELS2 to Copenhagen) Working in front of European journalists in Copenhagen, the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Villy Soevndal, did not hide his concern in the face of Iranian nuclear because there is a risk of a skid in the whole region. But he also ruled out any military option, counting on increased pressure on Iran to resume negotiations.

The counterproductive military option

« We are not working on the option of a military intervention” explained Villy Soevndal. “We are working for stronger sanctions, so strong that it encourages Iran to return to the negotiating table. If you work on military options, you close all other possibilities. The ministers of the 27 meet on January 23 to step up the sanctions on Iran, in particular by setting up an oil embargo but also financial sanctions against the banking sector.

The danger of a nuclear slippage

« The Iranian government must evolve on negotiations on its nuclear program, open its sites to inspections. he clarified. " The danger is that if Iran has the weapon, other countries in the region will want it. We must support the project of a nuclear-free Middle East (without nuclear weapons). »

Replacements in Iran

The fear that these sanctions will lead to an increase in the cost of oil can be greatly reduced, according to the Danish Minister, by increasing the oil capacity of other countries. The Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait) would have " interest to increase their production he explained. And " Libya could also be a complementary alternative source”, he explained, as the country began to reopen its farms.

In this situation explained a senior Danish diplomat to some journalists (including B2), “ there are two possibilities: either there is pressure on oil prices, and we could then easily reach peaks with a price of $200 per barrel; either the Arab countries compensate ". Apparently, it is this second way which is not only sought but possible. Which is not without ulterior motives. These countries (Saudi Arabia, etc.) thus have the opportunity to " replace Iran as a European supplier, to take market share ».

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