By saving nuclear deal Macron wins EU leadership; Ex-diplomat
Former Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman and Ambassador Ramin Mehmanparast said that hours remaining until the start of the third step in reducing commitments is an opportunity to test the EU's will to maintain the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal).
Speaking to ILNA news agency, he added “In the long negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran showed that it was a negotiator and that we were still committed to our commitments.”
“If the Europeans believe that the nuclear deal has been useful and look at it as Europe's achievement in the region and even the world, they should implement their undertakings to meet Iran's interests in return for the commitments undertaken by Tehran.”
Ramin Mehmanparast referred to the role of France to keep the nuclear deal alive and passive behavior of Britain and Germany, said that Britain is seeking to leave the European Union and it follows US foreign policy. However, if London adheres to the JCPOA, as a European representative it cannot play a serious role.”
Iranian former diplomat said “The Germans also seem to be lagging due to domestic issues.”
"There is a secret competition between Germany and France for EU leadership so if France manages to keep the JCPOA alive, it will leave a likely effect on the role they play in the EU leadership," Mehmanparast said.
Answering to question about Donald Trump recent policy, he said “What American officials have said is mostly propaganda and probably related to the presidential election. Mr Trump and his friends want to say that they can to bring North Korea and Iran to the negotiating table.”
The United States reimposed sanctions on Iran last year and tightened them sharply this year. Iran has responded by breaching some of the limits on nuclear material in the deal and has set a deadline for Thursday to scale back its nuclear commitments further unless the Europeans keep their promises to salvage the deal.
European leaders have struggled to dampen brewing confrontation between Tehran and Washington since U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal, which assures Iran access to world trade in return for curbs on its nuclear program.
France has proposed offering Iran about $15 billion in credit lines until year-end if Tehran comes fully back into compliance with its 2015 nuclear deal, a move that hinges on Washington not blocking it, Western and Iranian sources said.
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