European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday the EU should maintain a political engagement attitude with Tehran as "it is essential to keep diplomatic channels open to protect the bloc's citizens, interests and support for the fundamental rights of Iranians".

“The last 12 months marked a clear change in our relations with Iran. We've adopted nine consecutive rounds of sanctions... Our relations with Iran are at a low point, but we need to keep diplomatic channels open," he added.

Members of the European Parliament grilled Borrell over the bloc’s Iran policy as he tried to defend the EU's strategies. The MEPs decried what they dubbed as toothless measures against Tehran adopted by the EU.

Responding to anti-Tehran remarks by Borrell and other MEPs, Kana'ani stressed on Wednesday that such stances run counter to their assertion of pursuing dialogue and diplomacy. He also lashed out at certain MEPs for falling under the influence of disinformation campaigns and “getting stuck in the quagmire of biased consultations”.

He urged the EU to prevent some elements from making "unconstructive and unfounded remarks" that in direct contradiction to what the EU diplomats express about maintain the course of contact with Tehran.

The spokesperson slammed the EP’s stances as part of the “failed policy” towards the realities of the Iranian society and people that illustrate Europe’s “unpreparedness and confusion” over "Iran’s perseverance, rationality and might".

Kana'ani stated that the fact that certain EU parties have “employed the logic of interference and resorted to futile political-propaganda pressures” in the face of Iran’s readiness for interaction on the basis of mutual respect and common interests reveals that they are neither serious nor sincere in their interaction with Tehran.

“Making false accusations against Tehran regarding a number of foreign nationals and prisoners who have been convicted of crimes according to evidence and making other bogus and groundless allegations against the country’s foundations and institutions all indicate that some EU officials are insisting on the continuation of adoption of confrontational stances against the people and government of Iran," he continued.

Kana'ani cautioned that the European Parliament’s anti-Iran stances during the past year have greatly harmed the relations between Tehran and the EU.

He concluded his remarks by expressing hope that the MEPs would learn lessons from their inability to come to realize the last years’ developments in Iran, wake up to realities soon, and rectify and make up for their mistaken stances and remarks.

Tehran and certain Western nations have been engaged in a diplomatic row over their meddlesome stance on recent unrest Iran and Tehran's alleged role in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Protests erupted in several cities across Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini who fainted at a police station in mid-September and days later was pronounced dead at a hospital. The demonstrations soon turned violent.

Iranian officials blame Western countries for orchestrating the riots to destabilize the country.

The unrest has claimed the lives of dozens of people and security forces, while also allowing acts of terror and sabotage across the country. Iran's Interior Ministry has confirmed the enemy waged a hybrid war against the country to weaken national solidarity and hinder the country's progress, stressing that some 200 people lost their lives in the riots sparked by separatist and terrorist groups.

The US, the UK and the EU have imposed a slew of sanctions against Iranian individuals and legal entities since the September death in police custody of an Iranian woman. Iran has returned the adversarial measures and meddlesome statements with sanctions against European, American and British officials and institutions.

Kiev and its Western allies have also claimed that Tehran has provided Russia with weapons to be used in the war in Ukraine.

Iranian officials have repeatedly rejected allegations about Tehran's arms sales to Russia to be used in the ongoing war against Ukraine, stressing such accusations are aimed at legitimizing the West's military assistance to Kiev. They reiterated that Tehran will not help either side in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and cautioned that arming Moscow or Kyiv will prolong the conflict between the two neighbors.