EU foreign ministers seek to keep Iran nuclear deal alive

The European Union is seeking to shield the bloc’s strategic and economic interests in Iran in the wake of the US withdrawal from the international nuclear deal, as the EU foreign policy chief insists that the unity of the member states is unquestioned.

Federica Mogherini says after a meeting of EU foreign ministers that the member states are intensely coordinating their efforts “to protect the economic investments of European businesses that have legitimately invested and engaged in Iran” over the past three years since the nuclear deal was agreed.

Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, however, says that Poland opposes any EU actions that would weaken US sanctions.

The US pulled out of the pact earlier this month, and wants to impose tough sanctions on Iran, which also might also have an impact on some European companies doing business with Tehran.

European powers say they are committed to keep working together to save the deal because they believe it is the best way to keep Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb.

Mogherini insists the EU is not motivated by business profits in trying to keep the deal alive.

“For us, this is not about an economic interest. It is about a security interest,” she says.

Mogherini also downplays reports of friction between Poland and the rest of the EU over how to deal with US President Donald Trump and his hard-line stance toward Tehran.

Mogherini contends that the EU as a whole also shares some of Trump’s concerns when it comes to Iran’s role in the Middle East and its ballistic missile program.

Overall, though, she says, “the first concern we share is one related to the possibility for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon” and sticking to the nuclear deal was the best way to prevent that.

— AP