Mogherini:

Macron reaffirmed his intention to go to Iran as part of efforts to talk to all the actors in the Middle East, but warned about decisions that could destabilize the region further.

Termination of Iran deal, ‘crazy’

In an interview published Thursday, Macron warned that a termination of the nuclear accord as sought by the US would be “crazy” which could lead to a new conflagration.

Speaking with the Time magazine, he described the accord as “the best possible deal regarding Iran,” adding that if the US abrogates the JPCOA, it will backfire.

Macron said he had told Trump that “If you want to stop any relation with Iran regarding nuclear activity, you will create a new North Korea.”

“If you stop the 2015 agreement, what’s your other option? To launch war? To attack Iran? I think it would be crazy in the region,” he added.

Iran sticking by JCPOA

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano once again confirmed that Iran has been complying with the 2015 nuclear agreement, and that the nuclear-related commitments undertaken by Tehran under the deal are being implemented.

During a visit to the United States, Amano met with US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley. They discussed the UN nuclear watchdog’s verification and monitoring of Iran’s implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under the pact.

Amano called the JCPOA a significant gain for nuclear verification, and reiterated that Iran is in compliance with the provisions of its nuclear deal with the world powers.

He informed Haley about the IAEA’S strong and effective safeguards activities in Iran.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany signed the nuclear agreement on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

The IAEA has repeatedly verified Iran’s adherence to the terms of the JCPOA since January 2016, when the deal took effect.

Amano also repeated his assessment that the agreement “represents a significant gain for nuclear verification,” and that Iran’s nuclear-related commitments “are being implemented.”

The IAEA chief said the agency has “so far had access to all the locations it needed to visit” Iran, and will continue to work “in an impartial and factual manner.”

Meanwhile, the US mission to the UN expressed Haley’s appreciation for the UN watchdog’s “expertise and professionalism.”

Haley vowed the US would support the IAEA “in carrying out robust verification of nuclear-related activities in Iran” – also stressing the importance of “full and transparent access for the IAEA” in Iran.

Reuters, AFP and Press TV contributed to this story.