Tasnim The European Union remains committed to implementing the Iran nuclear deal as a matter of respecting international agreements and of the blocs shared international security, EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Spokesperson Peter Stano said.
The Iran nuclear deal, which was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council, is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and contributes to the security of the region, for Europe and beyond. The EU remains committed to implementing the JCPOA as a matter of respecting international agreements and of our shared international security, Stano told New Europe recently.
The lifting of the UN arms embargo on Iran in October 2020 is foreseen by UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorses the JCPOA, he said, reminding that it was part of the overall political deal at the time. The EU arms embargo runs until 2023.
Last Friday, the US was isolated over its bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran with 13 countries on the 15-member UN Security Council opposing it, arguing that Washingtons move is void given it is using a process agreed under a nuclear deal it quit two years ago.
In the 24 hours since US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he triggered a 30-day countdown to a return of UN sanctions on Iran, including an arms embargo, Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium as well as China, Russia, Vietnam, Niger, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, South Africa, Indonesia, Estonia and Tunisia have already written letters in opposition.
Diplomats said Russia, China, and many other countries are unlikely to reimpose the sanctions on Iran. Pompeo again warned Russia and China against that on Friday, threatening US action if they refuse to reimpose the UN measures on Iran.