Iranian Nuclear deal, Tehran: EU political effort is 'insufficient'

According to Zarif, the commitments made so far from Brussels are not enough to save the agreement. Political support is insufficient, trade relations must be protected. Tehran's "expectations" towards the EU "have increased." EU Commissioner: the JCPOA "works", it should not be renegotiated.


Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The European Union (EU) efforts to save the Iranian nuclear agreement, after the recent US withdrawal, are "insufficient", according toIranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

He was commenting after the conclusion of a world diplomatic tour to save the JCPOA and following the White House announcement of new sanctions against Tehran.

"With the withdrawal of America - said Zarif in a meeting with EU Energy chief Miguel Arias Canete - Iran's expectations regarding the European Union compared to the maintenance of benefits have increased and, in the context current European political support is not enough ". The announcement of a "possible retreat" of the big European companies that collaborate with Iran "is not in line with the European Union's commitment to continue its implementation".

In response, the EU Commissioner Canete confirmed the commitment of Brussels "to preserve this agreement", so as not to have to "negotiate a new one". Our message, he added, is "very clear: it is a nuclear agreement that works". So much so that the EU has decided to revive a pro-Cuba norm to protect the companies of the Union from the "extraterritorial application" of the new sanctions imposed by the White House.

Last week Europe's leaders set the pace for diplomacy to keep the JCPOA and businesses with Teheran alive, in response to US President Donald Trump's decision to cancel the nuclear deal and introduce new sanctions. In recent days, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif went to Brussels, the last stop on a journey that touched Russia and China.