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EU says current Iran deal to be ‘basis for future work’

May 14, 2018 at 6:30 pm

The European Union on Monday once again voiced its commitment to a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, saying it “could be used as a basis for future work”.

“The idea is to keep the current agreement in place. That could be used as a basis for future work,” EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters in Brussels.

Iran Nuclear Deal or Trump protecting Israel - Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

Iran Nuclear Deal or Trump protecting Israel – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

Under a 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and international powers, Tehran was provided billions of dollars in relief from financial sanctions in exchange for the imposition of a robust sanctions regime.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump withdrew the US from its participation in the deal.

Trump opted not to extend sanctions relief on Iran ahead of a 12 May deadline, vowing instead to re-impose the US’s nuclear-related economic penalties.

Nuclear Deal: Israel is behind it - Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

Nuclear Deal: Israel is behind it – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

“We have an agreement that has been the result of 12 years of intense diplomatic efforts,” Kocijancic added.

READ: Europe moves to safeguard interests in Iran after US pullout

She said that the 2015 deal was still functioning and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has certified its results.

“We believe that this agreement should continue to be implemented as long as Iran sticks to the nuclear commitments,” she added.