US President Donald Trump will have to decide soon on whether to continue with the Iran nuclear deal or announce its termination, three months after objecting to it and throwing the ball in Congress’ court.
Trump stands before three scenarios: backing off his previous stance and approving the deal, withdrawing from it or rejecting it without withdrawing from it.
Before the anticipated step, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson met in Brussels, in the attendance of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif.
In a joint news conference, the foreign ministers in addition to European Union foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini urged the US president to uphold the nuclear deal as a necessity for international security.
Reliable sources reported to The Associated Press that Trump is likely to uphold the agreement in the meantime, but might couple his decision with new sanctions against Iranian officials.
“Iran’s continued compliance is conditioned on full compliance by the US,” Zarif said.
Gabriel called on Washington to separate the Iranian nuclear deal from other issues, stressing that Europe and the US should confront Iran in regards to its missiles program and role in the Syrian war.
“The deal is working. It is delivering on its main goal which means keeping the Iranian nuclear program in check and under close surveillance,” Mogherini said.
For his part, Le Drian, said: “There is no indication today that could call into doubt Iranian respect of the agreement.”
Johnson stated that those who object to the deal should find a better solution.
Zarif tweeted that the Brussels meeting had shown a strong consensus that Iran was complying with the pact and had the right to enjoy its economic benefits, adding that any move that undermines it is unacceptable.
