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European Commission’s President: Europe Must Replace US as Leader after Washington Quits Iran Deal

The European Commission’s President Jean-Claude Juncker slammed Washington for turning its back on its own allies by quitting the Iran nuclear deal, saying the US under President Donald Trump has lost its influence as an international player and that the EU must replace it on the global stage.

“At this point, we have to replace the United States, which as an international actor has lost vigor, and because of it, in the long term, influence,” Juncker stated, suggesting that Europe should take over the US’ role as global leader.

He added that the United States is turning its back on multilateral relations and friendly cooperation “with a ferocity that can only surprise us”.

The European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief has also reiterated her support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying she regrets the US President’s decision to withdraw his country from the agreement.

“The JCPOA, unanimously endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and is crucial for the security of the region,” Federica Mogherini said in a statement on Wednesday.

“As long as Iran continues to implement its nuclear related commitments, as it has been doing so far and has been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 10 consecutive reports, the EU will remain committed to the continued full and effective implementation of the nuclear deal,” she added.

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog stressed Wednesday that Tehran is fulfilling its commitments under the nuclear deal with the world powers after the US President announced Tuesday that Washington pulled out of the agreement and re-impose economic sanctions on Iran.

“Iran is subject to the world’s most robust nuclear verification regime under the JCPOA, which is a significant verification gain,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said, adding that “As of today, the IAEA can confirm that the nuclear-related commitments are being implemented by Iran”.

Mogherini said the EU did not support the US President’s decision to reinstate the bans and would work instead to make sure Iranian and European businesses can enjoy the freedoms provided under the JCPOA.

“The lifting of nuclear related sanctions is an essential part of the agreement. The EU has repeatedly stressed that the sanctions lifting has a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran. The EU stresses its commitment to ensuring that this can continue to be delivered,” she added.

Hailing the deal as “the culmination of 12 years of diplomacy,” Mogherini stated that the accord was working and the EU was determined to preserve it.

The US President announced Tuesday his decision to withdraw Washington from Iran’s nuclear deal with the world powers and re-impose sanctions against Tehran, as France, Germany and Britain have for weeks been campaigning to keep the deal alive and have been negotiating since January with Washington to find ways to convince the US President to keep to the accord.

Shortly after the US President’s remarks, the European Union’s diplomatic chief stressed that the bloc is “determined to preserve” the Iran nuclear deal, calling on the international community to preserve the agreement.

The 2015 agreement “is delivering on its goal which is guaranteeing that Iran doesn’t develop nuclear weapons, the European Union is determined to preserve it,” Mogherini stated, warning that she was “particularly worried” by the US’ announcement of fresh sanctions.

“Stay true to your commitments as we will stay true to ours and together with the rest of the international community we will preserve this nuclear deal,” Mogherini added, saying “as long as Iran continues to implement its nuclear related commitments, as it is doing so far, the European Union will remain committed to the continued full and effective implementation of the nuclear deal”.

“We fully trust the work, competence and autonomy of the International Atomic Energy Agency that has published 10 reports certifying that Iran has fully complied with its commitments,” she further noted.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May also spoke by telephone with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel after the US President made his statement over the nuclear deal.

UK, France and Germany issued a joint statement attacking the US President’s withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal, urging Washington not to take steps that would make life harder for other countries that still want to stick to the agreement.

Moments after the Washington decision, May, Merkel and Macron said the decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal was a matter of “regret and concern”, adding that they remained committed to the accord.

“Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case, including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement,” the leaders stressed.

The European joint statement also urged Iran “to show restraint” in response to Washington decision.

“Iran must continue to meet its own obligations under the deal, cooperating fully and in a timely manner with IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) inspection requirements,” the three European leaders stated, noting that “there must be no doubt: Iran’s nuclear programs must always remain peaceful and civilian”.

After US President’s declaration, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he has ordered his atomic chief to stay on alert to resume suspended nuclear activities, stressing that Tehran will stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with other signatories if only other parties to the deal ensure all its interests and economic merits.

While stressing that Trumps decision was a historical experience for Iran, Rouhani noted that the US president has a history of undermining international treaties. Rouhani also noted that Iran would remain in the nuclear deal without the US’ presence for the next few weeks to see results of negotiations with Europeans.

Rouhani added that he has ordered the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to be prepared for resuming nuclear enrichment at the industrial level.

“I have ordered AEOI to go ahead with adequate preparations to resume enrichment at the industrial level without any limit,” he said.

He further added that from now on everything depends on Iran’s national interests.

“Trump’s decision was the beginning of a psychological war against Iran, our heroic people will not be affected by this psychological attack,” said Rouhani.

Rouhani also noted that from now on the JCPOA is between Iran and the five remaining countries, but stressed that Iran would stay under the deal if all its interests are met.

He further noted that the Iranian Foreign Ministry would be negotiating with European countries, Russia, and China in the coming weeks.

Also, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Trump’s move, referring to it as “unlawful”, while adding that the outcome of further diplomatic efforts will determine Iran’s response.

In response to US persistent violations and unlawful withdrawal from the nuclear deal, as instructed by President Rouhani, I’ll spearhead a diplomatic effort to examine whether remaining JCPOA participants can ensure its full benefits for Iran. Outcome will determine our response.

“In response to US persistent violations & unlawful withdrawal from the nuclear deal, as instructed by President Rouhani, I’ll spearhead a diplomatic effort to examine whether remaining JCPOA participants can ensure its full benefits for Iran. Outcome will determine our response,” he tweeted.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that Tehran will not stay under the 2015 nuclear deal if the European states don’t provide the country with maximum insurances to guarantee Iran’s interests after the US withdrawal from the agreement.

“The US president’s shallow and ludicrous behavior wasn’t unexpected. The same behavior was shown by previous US presidents. Yet, the Iranian nation is persistent, while former US presidents passed away and the Islamic Republic of Iran is still standing. This man’s corpse will also be worms’ food, one day, while the Islamic Republic of Iran is standing stronger than ever,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

“I don’t trust these three EU countries either. If the government (of President Rouhani) wants to make a contract, they should ask for a guarantee, or else they will all do just as the US did. If there’s not definite guarantee, the JCPOA cannot continue,” he stressed.

Under the deal signed in Vienna with six world powers – the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union – Iran scaled back its uranium enrichment program and promised not to pursue nuclear weapons. Tehran has on numerous occasions asserted that its nuclear program is merely peaceful and not meant to make nukes. In exchange, international sanctions were lifted, allowing it to sell its oil and gas worldwide. United Nations inspectors have repeatedly confirmed Tehran’s compliance with the deal.

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