BICOM

European leaders have stressed their commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal despite the US renewing sanctions on Iran and withdrawing from the agreement.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the House of Commons yesterday that Britain has no intention of leaving the nuclear deal with Iran as it is “vital for our national security”. He added that US President Donald Trump’s decision “makes no difference” to that assessment.

French President Emmanuel Macron stressed his willingness “to continue enforcing the nuclear agreement in all respects” during a phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani yesterday.

A statement by Macron’s office added that “the French and Iranian presidents agreed to pursue their joint efforts with all nations involved” in maintaining the nuclear deal and regional stability.

A day after the withdrawing his country from the JCPOA nuclear agreement, Trump told his Cabinet that he is open to negotiating a new deal with Iran, but clarified that, “we’re going to make either a really good deal for the world or we’re not going to make a deal at all.”

He also warned Iran of “very severe consequences” if Tehran restarts its nuclear programme and that renewed US sanctions will go into effect “very soon”.

US Defence Secretary James Mattis told members of the Senate Appropriations Defence Subcommittee that the US will work with allies and other countries to try to steer Iran toward more responsible behaviour around the world. He added that Trump’s decision to leave the nuclear deal created “the opportunity to move forward” in strengthening any future agreement with Tehran over its nuclear programme.

Speaking at the annual Herzliya Conference, Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said the nuclear deal was “leading [Iran] toward a nuclear weapon” and that Tehran has two option following the US withdrawal: “… to align or to fold and crumble”.

Katz added that if Iran doesn’t shut down its nuclear ambitions, “it will encounter the US economic power,” noting the current financial and currency crisis of the Iranian economy.

In related news, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told CNN that his country will “do everything [it] can” to acquire nuclear capabilities if Iran does.