EU expresses commitment to Iran nuclear deal

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - The EU’s foreign policy chief on Thursday voiced determination to making sure the nuclear deal with Iran continues to go forward.

"The EU remains committed to the full and effective implementation of the agreement, including to make sure that the lifting of the nuclear-related sanctions has a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran, including benefits for the Iranian people," Federica Mogherini told a press conference in Brussels.

She was addressing a meeting on the deal convened by the EU and foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain, along with Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif.

The 2015 deal between Iran and the world powers is meant to curb Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting some economic sanctions.

"The deal is working, it is delivering on its main goal, which means keeping the Iranian nuclear program in check,” said Mogherini.

“Our close surveillance the IAEA [nuclear authority] has confirmed in nine reports that Iran is fully complying with the commitments made under the agreement.

"Its continued successful implementation ensures that Iran's nuclear program remains exclusively peaceful."

She added that the European diplomats and Zarif had discussed recent developments in his country.

Also addressing reporters, French Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called the deal "essential," saying: "There is no alternative." He urged all parties to remain faithful on implementing of the deal.

German Minister Sigmar Gabriel also stood up for the deal, and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he didn’t see an “better alternative … [to] preventing the Iranians from going ahead with the acquisition of military nuclear capability."

He called the deal a "considerable diplomatic accomplishment" and called for worldwide support for the deal.

On his personal Twitter account, Zarif said the meeting had produced a "strong consensus".

"Iran is complying ... Iranian people have every right to all its dividends… Any move that undermines [it] is unacceptable,” he added, stressing: “Iran’s continued compliance conditioned on full compliance by the U.S."

U.S. President Donald Trump has heavily criticized the deal and threatened to kill it.