Rouhani: Iran, EU Must Stand against US Destructive, Incorrect Moves

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Iran and the European Union must work together to counter any “destructive” move regarding the 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and the six world powers.

“The EU and Iran must cooperate with each other to stand up to the destructive and improper moves concerning the JCPOA (the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action),” Rouhani said in a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Friday.

He pointed to the multilateral nature of the nuclear deal, saying, “The JCPOA is not negotiable at all and all sides must remain committed to their obligations under it and the US President [Donald Trump] or this country’s Congress must not be allowed to carry out a wrong measure against the JCPOA.”

The Iranian president expressed regret about the reluctance of the US administration to remain committed to its obligations not only under the JCPOA but also other international treaties and said such an approach would inflict “serious damage” on diplomatic efforts in the international scene.

Rouhani said Iran has been living up with its commitments under the nuclear accord and would continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He added that the UN nuclear agency is the only authorized body to confirm Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA, warning, “Muddling multilateral and international obligations with the US internal differences can be very dangerous for the world’s trust.”

“The JCPOA is the base of trust between Iran and the P5+1 countries and the agreement’s strength is the main base for dialogue and negotiations about other issues with the European Union,” the Iranian chief executive pointed out.

He said the JCPOA has played a leading role in the expansion of cooperation between Iran and France and expressed the Islamic Republic’s keenness to develop relations with Paris in all issues of common interest and regional and international developments.

EU, France will firmly defend JCPOA, says Macron

The French president, for his part, said the EU and France would firmly defend the JCPOA and its full implementation.

Macron called on Iran to continue its cooperation with the IAEA regardless of the US threats.

He said White House policies against the JCPOA are rooted in the US domestic differences.

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