Iranian official blasts europe's obedience to US policies

A senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official lashed out at the European Union for its blind obedience to Washington's wrong policies towards Iran, and added that Tehran is ready to hold talks with an independent Europe."Europe lacks an independent foreign policy; rather it does not have any foreign policy at all. It believes it is bound to fulfill whatever the US dictates," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Iranian Expatriates' Affairs Hassan Qashqavi said.He voiced Iran's preparedness to hold talks and negotiations with different international parties, and noted, "We are always ready for talks with the Europeans." "We believe that given its capacities and active and potential possibilities, the EU can act independently and free from the US dominance and can be present on the scene as a pole of power," Qashqavi told Iran's state-run Jam-e Jam TV network. The remarks by the Iranian diplomat came days after the European Union warned Iran that it risks new sanctions if it fails to return to the nuclear talks with the West as desired by the US and its allies. The EU and the United States have slapped unilateral sanctions on Iran on top of four sets of punitive measures imposed by the UN Security Council. Tehran says sanctions and pressures merely consolidate Iranians' national resolve to continue the path. Iranian officials however have underlined that West would be the main loser of its sanctions policy against Tehran.