No Script

Please Wait...

Al-Ahed Telegram

EU Defends Iran Deal: US Decision Might Lead to Military Confrontation

EU Defends Iran Deal: US Decision Might Lead to Military Confrontation
folder_openEurope... access_time6 years ago
starAdd to favorites

Local Editor

The European Union Monday reaffirmed its support for a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers despite sharp criticism of the accord by President Donald Trump, and it urged US lawmakers not to re-impose sanctions on Tehran.

EU Defends Iran Deal: US Decision Might Lead to Military Confrontation

Trump defied both US allies and adversaries Friday by refusing to formally certify that Tehran is complying with the accord, even though international inspectors say it is, and said he might ultimately terminate the agreement.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg said a failure to uphold an international agreement backed by the UN Security Council could have serious consequences for regional peace, and also undermine efforts to check North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

"As Europeans together, we are very worried that the decision of the US president could lead us back into military confrontation with Iran," German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters.

After a closed-door meeting chaired by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Iran, the ministers issued a joint statement saying the 2015 deal was key to preventing the global spread of nuclear arms.

"The EU is committed to the continued full and effective implementation of all parts of the JCPOA," it said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the formal name of the accord with Iran agreed in July 2015 in Vienna.

Trump, meanwhile, renewed his criticism of the deal, and raised the possibility of ending it completely. "We'll see what Phase two is. Phase two might be positive, and it might be very negative. It might be a total termination. That's a very real possibility. Some would say that's a great possibility," Trump said in Washington.

EU foreign ministers said the accord was crucial to opening up Iran's $400 billion economy and finding a new market for European investors. Unlike the United States, the EU saw relations with Iran flourish in the late 1990s until revelations about Tehran's nuclear plans in 2002.

"Non-proliferation is a major element of world security and rupturing that would be extremely damaging," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters.
"We hope that Congress does not put this accord in jeopardy."

Mogherini said she would travel to Washington early next month to try to muster support for the accord.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is complying with its commitments under the accord.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed in a phone call Trump's decision and said they would work to ensure it is enforced.

Negotiated after 12 years of talks, the accord with Iran is the most significant diplomatic success for the bloc in several decades.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

Comments