More than 500 European MPs warn US against undermining Iran nuclear deal

More than 500 parliamentarians from France, Germany and the UK wrote to members of the US congress, Thursday, to warn against abandoning the Iran nuclear deal, known as the joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA).

A joint statement, which was published in the Guardian, Der Spiegel, the New York Times and Le Monde, urged the reconsideration of Trump’s 12 May deadline to pull out of the deal

The letter said: “The US government threatens to abandon the JCPOA, although Iran fulfils its obligations under the agreement… an exit from the US would have fatal consequences.”

It goes on, “The short-term impact of this move would put an end to Iran’s nuclear programme controls, which could provide a new source of devastating conflict in the Middle East and beyond.”

The letter also identified risks for the long-term. These included, damaging the credibility western countries who signed the deal as well as to diplomacy as a means of securing peace. In the short term, the letter suggested there would be little appetite for further sanctions if the deal was cancelled by the White House.

Read: EU fails to agree new Iran sanctions as Trump deadline nears