European Foreign Ministers reiterate support for Iran nuclear deal

European Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their firm support for maintaining Iran's nuclear agreement (JCPOA) and strengthening the security of the Persian Gulf waterways.

Iran Press/Europe: At the end of a two-day informal meeting in Helsinki, Finland on Friday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters, "Europe continues its efforts to maintain the nuclear deal and welcome any progress beyond the agreement to maintain it." 

"My job is to protect the full implementation of the existing agreements with Iran, but if other measures are to be taken on the basis of the Joint Comprehenive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and to fulfill it, the European Union welcomes those measures," Mogherini added.

Meanwhile, German foreign minister Haiku Maas said that Brussels would continue its efforts to maintain the nuclear deal with Iran, IRNA reported. 

"Europe will step up diplomatic efforts to maintain the nuclear deal," Maas told reporters.

Speaking to reporters, British foreign seretary Dominique Raab said, "EU foreign ministers want to maintain Iran's nuclear deal and the security of the Persian Gulf commercial waterway."

Raab added that European countries were working together to persuade Iran to stay in the agreement.

However, the British foreign secretary emphasized that the nuclear deal is the only option on the table that could prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Belgian foreign minister Didier Reynders said, "We are trying to implement the provisions of the nuclear agreement."

He added that diplomatic dialogue with Iran is of particular importance and priority for the European Union.

"We are concerned about security and the freedom of navigation and shipping, but at the same time, working with Iran to implement the nuclear deal properly is our priority," Reynders said.

On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between Tehran and the world powers in 2015.

Washington has since told countries they must stop buying the OPEC producer's oil from November 4 or face financial consequences.

Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.

Donald Trump’s decision to scrap the nuclear deal was sharply criticised by other signatories of the deal, who have pledged to uphold their side of the agreement.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has given plenty of time to other parties remaining in the deal over the past year, but the Europeans failed to honour their commitments. 

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