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European powers urge dialogue, end to escalation in Iran nuclear crisis
PARIS, July 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Three key European powers on Sunday called
for dialogue and an end to the escalation over Iran’s nuclear programme, as
tensions further intensified between Tehran and the United States.
The statement by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany expressed
concern that the 2015 deal over Iran’s nuclear programme risked further
unravelling but said it was up to Tehran to ensure the deal survived.
“We believe the time has come to act responsibly and seek a path to stop
the escalation of tensions and resume dialogue,” said the English-language
version of the statement issued by the Elysee.
The statement was published after President Emmanuel Macron hosted German
Chancellor Angela Merkel and senior British cabinet minister David Lidington
at the annual Bastille Day parade in Paris.
“The risks are such that it is necessary for all stakeholders to pause and
consider the possible consequences of their actions,” it added.
The three European powers were among the key players in the 2015 deal
(known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear
programme
But US President Donald Trump in 2018 announced Washington was pulling out
of the deal, to the dismay of its European allies.
Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving sanctions relief it
believes was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified its sensitive
uranium enrichment work, prompting stern warnings from Washington.
“From May 8 onwards we changed our strategy of patience to that of
retaliation… whatever action the other side takes we will retaliate in
kind,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday during a visit to North-
Khorasan Province in northeastern Iran.
“If they decrease then we too shall decrease our commitments (in the
deal)… If they fully implement their commitments than we too shall fully
implement ours,” he added according to the official government website
dolat.ir. “We are always ready for negotiations, we are ready this very hour
and this very moment if you cease your bullying and your sanctions,” Rouhani
said referring to US sanctions and economic pressure on Iran.
“We are concerned by the risk that the JCPOA further unravels under the
strain of sanctions imposed by the United States and following Iran’s
decision to no longer implement several of the central provisions of the
agreement,” said the three European powers.
“We are extremely concerned by Iran’s decision to stockpile and enrich
uranium in excess of authorised limits,” it added, also warning over “the
deterioration of the security in the region. ” The three powers said they
would continue to support the nuclear deal but added that its implementation
“was contingent on Iran’s full compliance.”
“We strongly urge Iran to reverse its recent decisions in this regard,” the
statement said.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0920 hrs