EU says encouraging trade with Iran is crucial to nuke deal

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The European Union’s foreign policy chief encourages companies to do more business with Iran despite new US sanctions, saying Tehran had upheld its commitments under the deal to limit its nuclear program.

Federica Mogherini tells reporters during her trip to Wellington, New Zealand, that it’s up to Europeans to decide who they want to trade with.

“We are doing our best to keep Iran in the deal, to keep Iran benefiting from the economic benefits that the agreement brings to the people of Iran because we believe this is in the security interests of not only our region, but also of the world,” she says. “If there is one piece of international agreements on nuclear non-proliferation that is delivering, it has to be maintained.”

The United States reimposed stiff economic sanctions on Iran on Monday, ratcheting up pressure on the Islamic Republic despite statements of deep dismay from European allies, three months after US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the international accord limiting Iran’s nuclear activities.

Trump declared that the landmark 2015 agreement was “horrible,” leaving the Iranian government flush with cash to fuel conflict in the Middle East. Trump warned that those who don’t wind down their economic ties to Iran “risk severe consequences.”

— AP