New European sanctions would affect N-deal: Iran

BEIRUT / Reuters

Any new European sanctions against Iran will have a direct effect on the nuclear deal struck between world powers and Tehran, Iran’s deputy foreign minister said, according to state media. “In case some European countries are following steps to put non-nuclear sanctions against Iran in order to please the American president, they will be making a big mistake and they will see the direct result of that on the nuclear deal,” Abbas Araqchi said, according to state media. “It’s better that European countries continue their current action to persuade America to keep its promises in the nuclear deal and for that country to effectively execute the deal in all its parts with good will and in a productive atmosphere.”
Araqchi’s comments were in reaction to a report that Britain, France and Germany have proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missiles and its role in Syria’s war to try to persuade US to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran. Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting of a number of sanctions as part of the deal. Iranian officials have repeatedly said their missile programme is not up for negotiation. Trump delivered an ultimatum to European signatories on January 12. It said they must agree to “fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal” — which was sealed under his predecessor Barack Obama — or he would refuse to extend US sanctions relief on Iran.