The division between the United States and the European Union grows

The Munich Security Conference, the important international event that ended yesterday in Germany, broke the growing division between the United States and its main European partners on issues such as the nuclear deal with Iran and the fear of a new world arms race.

The last of the three days of the conference was devoted to tensions in the Middle East, such as the survival of the nuclear deal with Iran, the badbadination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, l & # 39; last year, by officials of this monarchy, Syria and Yemen, the blockade of Qatar and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The agenda was wide, but there is no doubt that Iran's Foreign Minister Mohamad Yavad Zarif had his voice and his severe response to US Vice President Mike Pence, who was scheduled to speak on Saturday. "I think the United States is doing nothing more than asking for a change of government" in Iran, said Zarif, calling Mr. Pence "arrogant" and his government "of" unhealthy fixation " and "pathological obsession" with his wife.

Pence urged the European partners of the United States to withdraw from the multilateral nuclear agreement signed between Iran and the world's major powers in 2015, in order to limit the development of Iran's nuclear power in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Although international listeners have repeatedly badured that Iran is complying with the deal, President Donald Trump has abandoned it and reimposed even tougher sanctions on Tehran.

A few weeks ago, the three main European powers, Germany, the United Kingdom and France, ratified their decision to stay within the framework of the agreement and launched a special financial mechanism so that all European countries can continue to trade with Iran without being sanctioned by the United States.

Disarm

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has avoided explicitly confronting the United States on this issue during her opening speech at the conference, but has clearly expressed her support for a strengthening of multilateralism.

"Is it a good idea for the Americans to withdraw suddenly and quickly from Syria, and will it not further strengthen the ability of Iran and Russia to exercise their influence?" Asked Merkel, who also called on the United States to pave the way for global disarmament including all powers, The White House has abandoned the Russian-American treaty that banned the development of medium-range nuclear forces.

"Disarmament is an issue that concerns us all and we would be happy that the negotiations are taking place not only between the United States, Europe and Russia, but also with China," said the Chancellor at the beginning of the 55th edition of the conference. The year brought together 35 heads of government and state, 50 foreign ministers and 30 defense ministers from around the world.