Merkel, Pence spar over Iran
MUNICH — German Chancellor Angela Merkel drew lengthy applause Saturday for her spirited defence of Europe’s decision to stand by a nuclear deal with Iran.
U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence wasn’t among the impressed, however.
Merkel’s comments at the Munich Security Conference followed days of acrimony between the U.S. and Europe over Iran.
Merkel told the group the split with the U.S. over Iran’s nuclear agreement “depresses me very much,” but that it as an important channel to Tehran, stressing the need for international diplomacy.
Speaking after Merkel, Pence pushed for Europeans to end their involvement in the nuclear deal, calling Iran “the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world.”
“The time has come for our European partners to stop undermining U.S. sanctions against this murderous revolutionary regime,” Pence said. “The time has come for our European partners to stand with us ... ”