Germany: Preserving Iran deal will prevent 'uncontrolled escalation' in Mideast

Germany’s foreign minister is vowing to work to preserve the Iran nuclear deal and prevent an “uncontrolled escalation” of tensions in the Middle East.

Heiko Maas says that “the agreement is working.” He adds that “it is not at all clear what, in the United States’ view, could take the place of the nuclear agreement to prevent Iran verifiably from producing nuclear weapons.”

Maas says it isn’t in Iran’s interests to jeopardize the opportunities created by the nuclear deal. He says “a cool head” will be needed in the coming days as the next steps are discussed.

He adds: “We will also have to analyze what consequences the United States’ withdrawal will have for European companies and how we in Europe can react to them together.”

— AP