Iran Press/ Europe: According to Business Standard, the head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said on Friday that the EU should remain strong on its' commitment to the historic Iran nuclear deal and not be swayed by a change in US policy.
Jean-Claude Juncker gave an address at the Austrian Parliament where he said the EU should defend its' participation in the historic pact -- which saw Tehran limit its civilian nuclear energy programme for removal of all nuclear-related sanctions. However, fresh US sanctions were drawn up after President Donald Trump illegally withdrew US from the multilateral 2015 agreement -- casting a shadow over the future of the accord.
The EU is currently trying to put in place mechanisms to block US sanctions, and set up special financial channels so that European businesses wishing to do business with Iran can do so, without being affected by US sanctions.
"Europeans must keep their word and not give in to a change of mood just because others are doing so," Juncker was quoted as saying by Spain's Efe news. "In this context, we must defend ourselves more, because European companies should not suffer under the sanctions imposed against Iran by another, larger power."
The EU took measures to soften the blow of US sanctions in August.
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Iranian president Hassan Rouhani in his meeting with British prime minister Theresa May said the illegal withdrawal of the United States from JCPOA has dismayed and angered the international community.
The Iranian President added: "We have to make our utmost efforts to achieve an appropriate framework to protect and fully implement the agreement, especially in economic sector, through cooperation and consultation."
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Top UN court orders US to lift Iran sanctions
In response, Iran filed a lawsuit against the U.S., saying that the U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s decision to hit the country with new sanctions after withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal was in violation of a decades-old treaty.
The International Court of Justice ordered the United States to lift sanctions on Iran that affect imports of humanitarian goods and products and services linked to the safety of civil aviation.
EU powers have scrambled to save the JCPOA and protect their businesses in Iran against US sanctions.
Tehran has said it would make a decision on its future role in the nuclear agreement in the coming weeks following negotiations with the other signatories of the deal.
َAlso, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says Tehran is totally prepared to resume its' previous nuclear activities if the 2015 deal with the 5+1 Group of countries is not fully preserved
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