Estonia blasts Iran for causing tensions in the region, calls for political dialogue and deescalation

Lambasting Iran of causing tensions in the region, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said on Wednesday that "destabilizing activities of Iran have caused rise of tensions in the region." Urging all parties for a political dialogue, he pointed that "de-escalation is needed in all domains ..also in the cyber one."

Talking exclusively to ET Online on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue jointly hosted by Ministry of External Affairs and Think-Tank ORF, Reinsalu said, "It is very important to give a strong and clear message that these destabilizing activities of Iran have caused rise of tensions in the region as a centre of gravity.. to call Iran to avoid such actions and to call all parties to the political dialogue."

Reinsalu added, "Also I believe there is a momentum by the coordination of European Union foreign affairs minister, Josep Borrell …is going to have more active role in finding diplomatic solutions in the region. De-escalation is needed in all domains procuring also in the cyber one."


In the backdrop of heightened tensions between Iran and US, Reinsalu on Wednesday met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in New Delhi on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2020. The two sides discussed issues related to Iran nuclear deal also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and discussed regional situation.

Talking to a group of reporters in New Delhi after his meeting with his Iranian counterpart Reinsalu said he stressed for a political dialogue and discussed JCPOA agreement and the Ukrainian plane tragedy.

"I stressed the importance of a Political dialogue. Political dialogue both US to avoid the escalation and political dialogue nuclear proliferation surely under the umbrella of JCPOA agreement. We also discussed the issue of catastrophe of Ukrainian civil aviation airplane in Tehran as Iran admitted Iranian rocket launch which destroyed the plane and called Iran to the full cooperation to these countries whose citizens have been lost in that tragedy", Reinsalu told reporters.
He added, "Iranian colleague stressed that Iran is ready to cooperate in the matter."

Pointing that US has a right of "self protection", Reinsalu said, "With Iranian colleague ...made a universal pledge to de-escalate and to avoid de-stabilization in the region."

"Destabilizing activities of Iran have been a core or centre of gravity of escalation of events in the region. Estonia is an ally of US and we do accept the right of self-protection of United Stated under the article 55 of United Nations charter," he told reporters. Reinsalu also held a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar on Wednesday. The meeting time which over-ran the scheduled time and the two Ministers discussed ways for enhancing cooperation in the fields of digital, cyber domian and ICT. "They also discussed matters of interest at the UNSC, and Mr. Reinsalu conveyed Estonia's support for India's UNSC non permanent member for 2021-22", External Affairs Ministry release said.