EU says current Iran deal to be ‘basis for future work’

By Yusuf Hatip

BRUSSELS

The European Union on Monday once again voiced its commitment to a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, saying it “could be used as a basis for future work”.

“The idea is to keep the current agreement in place. That could be used as a basis for future work,” EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters in Brussels.

Under a 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and international powers, Tehran was provided billions of dollars in relief from financial sanctions in exchange for the imposition of a robust sanctions regime.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from its participation in the deal.

Trump opted not to extend sanctions relief on Iran ahead of a May 12 deadline, vowing instead to re-impose the U.S.'s nuclear-related economic penalties.

“We have an agreement that has been the result of 12 years of intense diplomatic efforts,” Kocijancic added.

She said that the 2015 deal was still functioning and the International Atomic Energy Agency has certified its results.

“We believe that this agreement should continue to be implemented as long as Iran sticks to the nuclear commitments,” she added.