Austrian MP criticizes US behavior toward Iran

A senior Austrian parliamentarian criticized Washington’s conduct in the Middle East, especially regarding Iran, as unhelpful, saying it leads to instability instead of helping to stabilize the region.

“As for the US behavior with regard to such countries like Iran and others, it does not promote stabilization of the situation but the other way around,” Karlheinz Kopf, the Second President of National Council, one of the two houses of the Austrian parliament, said Friday.

He added that Vienna was interested in a partnership with Iran, noting that Tehran could contribute to stabilizing the Middle East.

“We are very interested on our side in cooperation with Iran, because I think that Iran can contribute to the stabilization process in the region.”

Kopf also deplored that sanctions against the Iranian banking sector are still in place, despite the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, Sputnik reported.