Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told European Council President Antonio Costa that Iran had seen inaction rather than neutrality from some countries during the recent war, calling on European states to reconsider their approach and maintain greater independence, IRNA reports.

Meeting on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Pezeshkian said European countries deprived themselves of a role in international developments by aligning with hostile US actions.

He criticised Europe’s approach to the snapback mechanism and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying European governments’ positions reduced their ability to influence international developments. He also referred to comments by the NATO secretary general about European countries’ assistance to the United States during the war and called for a reassessment of European policies.