German Party Slams EU's 'Extortionist' Iran Sanction Policy

Berlin, Sept 10, IRNA -- German opposition party 'The Left' (Die Linke) on Sunday lashed out at European Union plans to step up sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, branding it an ongoing 'extortion diplomacy.' A lawmaker of the radical leftist party, Niema Movassat urged the EU on his website to defuse tensions with Tehran. He called on the EU and Germany to return to the negotiation table with Iran, respect international law, lift sanctions against Tehran and rule out explicitly a war against Iran. Movassat stressed up to this day, no western country nor the UN nuclear watchdog has presented even one shred of evidence that Iran is building a nuclear bomb. The deputy chairman of the German-Iranian Parliamentary Group has in the past made clear the West had to show willingness and readiness to engage in 'serious talks.' The legislator had also said the West had to ponder specific proposals which could be of interest to Iran. He reiterated imposing sanctions against Tehran and making military threats were 'not helpful' in setting the Iranian nuclear issue. Movassat also said Tehran's security concerns had to be addressed by the West./end