European firms warned by US they risk sanctions if they continue to work in Iran
JOHN BOLTON, Donald Trump’s national security adviser, yesterday warned European businesses they could face sanctions if they continued working in Iran, raising the prospect of a transatlantic rift over how to handle Tehran.
However, at the same time, Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, said he was hopeful Washington could still strike a new nuclear deal over Iran with Europe. The diverging tones suggest splits within the US administration about how to work with the international community in reining in Iran’s ambitions.
Iran launched a diplomatic effort at the weekend to keep the deal alive. Javad Zarif, the foreign minister, embarked on a tour of signatories aimed at persuading them to help protect Iran from US sanctions. After meeting his counterpart in Beijing, Mr Zarif said yesterday: “We hope that with this visit to China and other countries we will be able to construct a clear future design for the comprehensive agreement.”
Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s president, said: “If the remaining five countries continue to abide by the agreement,
‘If the remaining countries abide by the agreement, Iran will remain in the deal, despite the will of America’
Iran will remain in the deal, despite the will of America.”
Theresa May spoke with Mr Rouhani yesterday to reiterate the UK’S position of upholding the nuclear deal, Downing Street said. “She said it is in both the UK and Iran’s national security interests to maintain the deal and welcomed President Rouhani’s public commitment to abide by its terms, adding that it is essential that Iran continues to meet its obligations,” a No 10 spokesman said.
The US decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal last week angered European leaders, risking a transatlantic rift as they considered protecting companies against American sanctions. Mr Bolton said sanctions on European companies were “possible”. “I think the Europeans will see that it’s in their interest ultimately to come along with us,” he told CNN.
But speaking on Fox News Sunday, Mr Pompeo used more conciliatory language and insisted the decision to withdraw had not been aimed at the UK or the European Union.
“I’m hopeful in the days and weeks ahead we can come up with a deal that really works, that really protects the world from Iranian bad behaviour – not just their nuclear programme, but their missiles and their malign behaviour as well,” he said. .