European diplomats are attempting to deescalate the conflict between Iran and the US, following the death of Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike.
“Iran still values the European efforts or at least they recognize the importance of having international sympathy and they have been pretty good at exploiting that sympathy since the U.S. withdrawal" from the 2015 nuclear deal, said Sanam Vakil, senior research fellow with Middle East & North Africa Programme at Chatham House, a think tank in London.
She said Iran's declaration on Sunday that it would abandon the limits set by the 2015 nuclear deal was a “relatively measured response designed to keep the door of diplomacy, discussion and engagement with Europe very open.” Both Trump and the Iranians are very much backed into a corner in the wake of Soleimani's death, Vakil said, adding that she believed both sides were still looking for a diplomatic outlet.
“The Iranians have to respond to Soleimani’s killing. It would be very hard for them not to because of the symbolism of the way he was killed and his importance," she said. “Meanwhile, the U.S. president has not retreated or desisted from his statements, but continues to stand by them and double down when they are just inflammatory.”
“Having the international community lobby and pressure President Trump is an important part of Iran’s strategy right now,” Vakil added.
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