EU pledges commitment to Iran nuclear deal, regrets Trump decision

The European Union (EU)’s foreign policy chief has reiterated its support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying it “regrets” US President Donald Trump’s decision on Tuesday to withdraw his country from the agreement.

“The JCPOA, unanimously endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and is crucial for the security of the region,” Federica Mogherini said in a statement on Wednesday, using an acronym for the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

“As long as Iran continues to implement its nuclear related commitments, as it has been doing so far and has been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 10 consecutive reports, the EU will remain committed to the continued full and effective implementation of the nuclear deal,” the statement added.

The JCPOA came out of years of negotiations between Iran on one side and six world powers, namely the US, Russia, China, Germany, France and Britain, on the other, in July 2015.

After criticizing the agreement for months, Trump on Tuesday officially declared that his country is pulling out of the JCPOA, saying Washington will not only reinstate the anti-Iran sanctions that were lifted as part of the deal, but will also “be instituting the highest level of economic” bans against the Islamic Republic.

Mogherini said the EU did not support Trump’s decision to reinstate the bans and would work instead to make sure Iranian and European businesses can enjoy the freedoms provided under the JCPOA.

“The lifting of nuclear related sanctions is an essential part of the agreement. The EU has repeatedly stressed that the sanctions lifting has a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran. The EU stresses its commitment to ensuring that this can continue to be delivered,” she added.

Hailing the deal as “the culmination of 12 years of diplomacy,” Mogherini said the accord was working and the EU was determined to preserve it.

IAEA: Iran honoring commitments under nuclear deal

The UN’s nuclear watchdog says Iran is abiding by the terms of its nuclear agreement with world powers.

Trump made the decision despite numerous reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that confirm Iran’s compliance to the landmark agreement.

Putin ‘concerned’ by Trump’s decision

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed “deep concern” over the move, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the Russian Foreign Ministry lamented the move “to unilaterally refuse to carry out commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” adding Washington’s actions were “trampling on the norms of international law.”

Macron asks Iran to stay in JCPOA

Speaking to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris would stay committed to the deal because it was needed to preserve stability in the Middle East.

EU, Russia, China rally behind Iran after Trump’s move

The EU, Russia, China and Turkey rally behind Iran, trying to salvage the international nuclear pact after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the landmark accord.

“The French president emphasized the willingness of France to continue enforcing the Iran nuclear agreement in all respects,” the Elysee said in a statement after the call. “He underlined the importance that Iran do the same.”

During the phone call, Rouhani told the French head of state that he expected Europe to act swiftly and fulfill its obligations under the JCPOA.

“In the current situation, Europe has a very limited time to save the JCPOA and must determine and announce its clear, firm stances on its obligations in the deal,” he said.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully committed to its obligations in the JCPOA and will pursue its interests as it has done so far, but unfortunately, the other side has not demonstrated a satisfactory performance,” the Iranian president added.

Rouhani said Iran has never felt the need to develop nuclear weapons through its peaceful nuclear program, which he said was “a scientific and technical attempt to promote national pride and meeting the needs of the Iranian nation.”

Germany to keep JCPOA ‘alive’

Germany also sided against the Trump administration, with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas saying that the deal was necessary for world security.

“We will try to keep alive this important agreement, which ensures the Middle East and the world as a whole are safer,” he told broadcaster ARD.

Germany vows to protect EU firms against Iran bans

German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz says his country would try to protect European companies from any adverse effects from US President Donald Trump’s decision to quit the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.

Trump’s decision ‘rash, unthinking’: Iraq

Trump’s move prompted criticism from Baghdad as well, with the Iraqi Foreign Ministry expressing concern over the security implications of the region.

“The Iraqi Foreign Ministry is sorry about the rash and unthinking decision taken by the US president,” said ministry spokesman Ahmad Mahjoub.

He warned of “dangerous developments” following the announcement, saying it could lead to “more of the destruction and wars that the region has already suffered.”