EU reiterates commitment to Iran nuclear deal

European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Geneva on Wednesday and reiterated the bloc’s determination to preserve the multilateral nuclear deal, an EU statement said.

Mogherini underlined the need for continued full and effective implementation of the Iran nuclear deal by all parties, “including the economic benefits arising from it,” the statement said.

She “reiterated the EU’S determination to preserve the nuclear deal as a key element for the global non-proliferation architecture and crucial for regional and global security.”

According to the statement, the two diplomats “reviewed the bilateral cooperation between the EU and Iran in different areas,” and “discussed the recent developments in the region, including in Syria and Yemen.”

Mogherini insisted on the need for the main actors in the region to constructively engage in a political settlement for the two conflicts.

Also on Tuesday, Mogherini held talks with the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali Akbar Salehi in Brussels, where both agreed on the need for staying committed to the landmark agreement.

“They reaffirmed their commitment to the continued full and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and took stock of the latest developments in this regard,” read a press release by the European External Action Service (EEAS).

“They equally expressed their determination to preserve the nuclear agreement as a matter of respecting international agreements and a key pillar for the European and regional security,” it added.

During the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the third Eu-iran High-level Seminar on International Nuclear Cooperation, Mogherini pointed to the continued cooperation between Brussels and Tehran concerning civil nuclear activities.

Back in May, US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the JCPOA despite objections from the other signatories to the nuclear deal.

Since then, Washington has imposed the “toughest ever” sanctions against Iran. It has also warned of severe penalties for the companies that evade the bans and engage in business with Iran.

The Trump administration had further vowed to reduce Tehran’s oil revenue to zero, but it went back on its pledge and gave waivers to almost all major customers of the country.

However, the European parties to the JCPOA have vowed all-out efforts to save the agreement and protect their firms in the face of American bans. They are now working to set up the socalled Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in a bid to circumvent the US sanctions against Iran and facilitate non-dollar trade with Tehran,

Prior to the meeting, the Iranian nuclear chief welcomed an EU plan to establish the SPV, but only if the payment mechanism system could preserve Iran’s oil sales.

Salehi, however, warned that Iran’s patience is running out as there has been no “tangible results” yet on the EU’S economic promises.

Reuters and Press TV contributed to this story.