EU foreign policy chief says bloc interested in preserving Iran nuclear deal

The European Union’s foreign policy chief says the bloc is still interested in preserving the landmark nuclear deal with Iran in view of the rising tensions in the West Asia region.

Josep Borrell made the remarks, for the first time in his capacity on Thursday, in a meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2020 in the Indian capital, New Delhi.

A statement, which appeared on the EU website, said during the meeting the two sides held a frank dialogue, discussing the latest developments regarding the nuclear deal, which is officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Borrell underlined the continued interest of the European Union to preserve the agreement, adding that this is now more important than ever in light of the dangerous escalations in West Asia and the Persian Gulf region.

Iran: High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell met with Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif

EEAS - European External Action Service - European Union External Action

Both partners agreed to remain in close touch and continue their engagement in the coming weeks, the statement said.

According to reports, Zarif, for his part, highlighted the European countries’ mistakes and inaction with regard to their JCPOA commitments, urging them to correct their current behavior toward Iran.

This came after Zarif said earlier on Thursday that the European signatories to the JCPOA — France, Britain and Germany — have chosen to bow to American bullying and sell out the “remnants” of the multilateral agreement only to appease the US and avoid its sanctions.

Zarif: Europeans sold out remnants of Iran deal to appease Trump

Iran

Zarif made the remarks in a tweet on Thursday after The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the administration of US President Donald Trump had threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on European automobile imports if the trio — known as EU3 or E3 — refused to formally accuse Iran of violating the JCPOA.

Days before Europeans warned Iran of nuclear deal violations, Trump threatened Europeans: Report

The Trump administration has reportedly threatened France, Britain and Germany to accuse Iran of breaking the 2015 nuclear deal or face tariffs on their auto sector.

On Thursday, Germany confirmed the Washington Post’s report with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer confirming at a press conference that “this expression or threat, as you will, does exist.”

Germany confirms report of US threat of higher tariff on EU auto sector over JCPOA

Berlin has confirmed that the US has threatened Germany, France and Britain of higher tariff on EU car exports over Iran’s nuclear deal.

The JCPOA was signed between Iran and six world powers — namely the US, Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China — in 2015. It was also ratified in the form of a UN Security Council resolution.

However, Washington’s exit and subsequent re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran left the future of the historic deal in limbo.

Tehran remained fully compliant with the JCPOA for an entire year, waiting for the co-signatories to fulfill their end of the bargain by offsetting the impacts of Washington’s bans on the Iranian economy.

As the European parties failed to do so, Tehran moved in May 2019 to suspend its JCPOA commitments in 60-day stages under Articles 26 and 36 of the deal covering Tehran’s legal rights.

Iran took its fifth and final commitment reduction step earlier this month.

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