EU regrets US decision, remains committed to JCPOA

“The European Union regrets today's statement by the President of the United States on the nuclear deal with Iran [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA]. Should the US reconsider this position,” she said minutes after the US President Donald Trump announced his unilateral decision.

“As long as Iran continues to implement its nuclear related commitments, as it is doing so far, the EU will remain committed to the continued full and effective implementation of the nuclear deal. We fully trust the work, competence and autonomy of the International Atomic Energy Agency that has published 10 reports certifying that Iran has fully complied with its commitments,” The European External Action Service (EEAS) quoted Mogherini as saying in reaction to the statement by the US president regarding the Iran nuclear deal.

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Washington would pull out of Iran nuclear deal and reinstate nuclear sanctions on Iran.

This is while most world powers including Russia, China, and European Union have repeatedly stressed that keeping the deal is in the interest of world peace and security.

“As we have always said, the nuclear deal is not a bilateral agreement and it is not in the hands of any single country to terminate it unilaterally,” Mogherini added.

“It has been unanimously endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231. It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, it is relevant in itself, but even more so in these times of encouraging signals on the perspective of the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula,” the EU's top diplomat said.

“The nuclear deal with Iran is crucial for the security of the region, of Europe and of the entire world.'

“The lifting of nuclear related sanctions is an essential part of the agreement. The EU has repeatedly stressed that the lifting of nuclear related sanctions has a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran, including crucial benefits for the Iranian people. The EU is fully committed to ensuring that this continues to be delivered on.”

'I am particularly worried by the announcement of new sanctions. I will consult with all our partners in the coming hours and days to assess their implications. The EU is determined to act in accordance with its security interests and to protect its economic investments.'

Elaborating on the significance of the landmark Iran Deal, she said “The nuclear deal with Iran is the culmination of 12 years of diplomacy. It belongs to the entire international community. It has been working and it is delivering on its goal, which is guaranteeing that Iran doesn’t develop nuclear weapons. The EU is determined to preserve it. We expect the rest of the international community to continue to do its part to guarantee that it continues to be fully implemented, for the sake of our own collective security.”

“Let me conclude with a message to the Iranian citizens and leaders. To each and every one of them. Do not let anyone dismantle this agreement. It is one of the biggest achievements diplomacy has ever delivered, and we built this together.”

“It is the demonstration that win win solutions are possible, through dialogue and engagement. That common ground can be found, even when positions and interests differ. That respect can be a universal language. This deal belongs to each and every one of us. Stay true to your commitments, as we will stay true to ours. And together, with the rest of the international community, we will preserve the nuclear deal.”

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said on Tuesday that withdrawing from the NPT was predicted in the deal and the Islamic Republic of Iran will withdraw from it if the other side scraps the nuclear deal.

When international agreements turn out to be impractical due to illegal acts of some countries, there will be no reason to remain committed to such international pledges by other countries, he said.

In NPT, member-countries are authorized to withdraw from the treaty in case their interests are threatened, he added.

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