Europe vows to uphold Iran nuclear deal as Trump raises pressure

According to official website of the European Union External Action, the press release said that 'We, the High Representative of the European Union and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, take note with regret and concern of the decision by the United States not to extend waivers with regards to trade in oil with Iran.

'We also note with concern the decision by the United States not to fully renew waivers for nuclear non-proliferation projects in the framework of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action),' it added.

The joint statement said that 'the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the JCPOA – it aims at having a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of the Iranian people. We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the United States following their withdrawal from the JCPOA. '

'We remain deeply convinced that the JCPOA is key to increasing stability and security in the Middle East region,' it noted.

The statement said also that 'together, we emphasize our continued commitment to the JCPOA, a crucial element of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and essential for our national and shared European security.'

'The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 14 reports,' it said.

The statement said that 'we note Iran’s continued compliance with the JCPOA, as repeatedly confirmed by the IAEA. We call upon Iran to continue implementing in full its commitments under the JCPOA as well as its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.'

'The remaining participants to the JCPOA are committed to working on the preservation and maintenance of financial channels and exports for Iran, together with third countries interested in supporting the JCPOA. We are determined to pursue efforts, together with other European partners, to enable the continuation of legitimate trade with Iran, including through the operationalization of the special purpose vehicle 'INSTEX'. In this regard, the shareholders are committed to significantly increase their financial contributions to INSTEX’s operational budget.'

'We encourage all countries, including Russia and China as JCPOA participants, to make their best efforts to pursue the legitimate trade that the agreement allows for, through concrete steps.'

The statement concluded that 'we recall the European Council conclusions adopted on 4 February 2019 and EU’s support for the development of EU-Iran relations in areas of common interest. Complementary to preserving the JCPOA, we support a comprehensive approach with Iran with a view to addressing all issues of concern, including its contribution to regional instability and its missile activities.'

US President Donald Trump announced on May 8, 2018 the United States’ withdrawal of Iran nuclear deal and restored the US sanctions against Iran in November. Nevertheless, Iran and other countries agreed to JCPOA, including Russia, China, Britain, Germany and France is still committed, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly stated Iran's commitment to this agreement.

The US continued its anti-Iranian measures, including the name of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) in the list of terrorist groups, and lifting the exemption of eight buyers of Iranian oil and announced it would work to zero Iran's sales of its oil.

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