EU Deeply Regrets Re-imposition of US Sanctions on Iran, Vows to Keep Business Channels with Tehran

The European Union on Monday voiced its deep regret over the US renewal of sanctions on Iran, saying the 28-nation bloc and other signatories would work on keeping financial channels with Iran open.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and German, French and British Foreign Ministers Heiko Maas, Jean-Yves Le Drian and Jeremy Hunt, respectively, made the remarks in a joint statement.

“The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian program remains exclusively peaceful, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 11 consecutive reports,” the statement read, according to Press TV.

 “It (the JCPOA) is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world,” it added.

The EU called on Iran to continue to fully implement all its nuclear commitments under the nuclear deal, saying, “We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran in accordance with EU law and with UN Security Council resolution 2231.”

“Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security,” the statement pointed out.

The British Foreign Office also took to Twitter later on Monday, noting that the Iranian nuclear deal is “crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world.”

The United States plans to re-impose a first round of sanctions against Tehran, which were lifted under the multilateral nuclear agreement signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015, on Tuesday. The sanctions will cover Iran’s purchases of dollars, its trade in gold and precious metals, and its automotive sector.

Further sanctions on oil and transactions with the central bank of Iran will come into effect on November 4.

H.M