European Parties of the JCPOA Express Regret Over Iran's Sanctions Reinstatement

Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, along with the foreign and finance ministers of Britain, France, and Germany, the three European powers involved in the Iran nuclear deal, expressed regret over the U.S. decision to reinstate sanctions on Iran. In a joint statement released on Friday evening, shortly after the announcement of the return of the second round of U.S. sanctions against Iran, the EU's foreign policy chief and the three European powers involved in the nuclear negotiations leading to the JCPOA emphasized that the JCPOA is a key element in global nuclear disarmament and multilateral diplomacy, and that this agreement is vital for the security of the EU, the region, and the entire world. The statement stressed that "we deeply regret the reinstatement of sanctions on Iran by the United States due to its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement." They also called on Iran to continue fulfilling its commitments under the JCPOA and to play a constructive role. 300 new individuals and entities are being added to the U.S. sanctions list against Iran. The United States exited the agreement in May after months of criticism regarding the inadequacy of the Iran nuclear deal, leading President Donald Trump to order the reinstatement of sanctions that had been suspended under the JCPOA. The Trump administration considers the JCPOA flawed for not addressing Iran's missile program and other destructive aspects of its behavior. The first round of reinstated sanctions was implemented in August, which limited the automotive industry, the trade of precious metals, and Iran's access to dollars, and on Friday, November 2, the U.S. announced the return of additional sanctions targeting Iran's oil and energy industry, determined to reduce oil exports to zero. On the same day, it was announced that as part of this sanctions package, which will be implemented from Monday, November 14, 700 individuals and companies, including 300 new entities, will be added to the U.S. sanctions list against Iran. In this context, the U.S. Secretary of State emphasized that the goal of these sanctions is to fundamentally change the behavior of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the U.S. Treasury Secretary warned that individuals and countries violating these sanctions will face U.S. repercussions. However, in a statement reacting to this decision, released on Friday evening by the European parties to the Iran nuclear agreement, it was emphasized that our goal is to protect European companies engaged in legitimate trade with Iran, in accordance with EU laws and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. They stressed that "as parties to the Iran nuclear agreement, we are committed to maintaining effective economic channels with Iran, continuing Iran's oil and gas exports. In this regard and other issues, our activities, including with Russia and China as other parties to the JCPOA, and other countries to support the Iran nuclear agreement will continue." The statement adds: These efforts, particularly those related to establishing a special mechanism based on a European initiative, have increased in recent weeks. This will make it possible to continue the lifting of sanctions on Iran and allow European exporters and importers to continue their legitimate trade [with Iran]. The statement from the European parties to the JCPOA also emphasized that "more needs to be done to assist and reassure economic actors seeking legitimate trade with Iran within the framework of European laws. Our finance ministers will pursue this issue at their upcoming meeting, and our collective determination to do this is firm." The joint statement by Federica Mogherini and the foreign and finance ministers of Britain, France, and Germany describes the JCPOA as a key element in the architecture of global nuclear disarmament and multilateral diplomacy, unanimously endorsed in the form of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, and vital for the security of the EU, the region, and the entire world. They state that the JCPOA is yielding results and achieving its intended goals, with the International Atomic Energy Agency confirming Iran's compliance with its commitments under this agreement in 12 consecutive reports. The European parties to the JCPOA have emphasized that they expect Iran to continue to fully implement all its commitments as outlined in the JCPOA. They have reminded that although the JCPOA has paved the way for the lifting of international sanctions with the aim of positively influencing trade and economic relations with Iran, more importantly, it has a positive impact on the lives of the Iranian people. The European parties to the JCPOA have stated that they will continue to uphold the JCPOA within the framework of respect for international agreements and their contribution to global security, and they expect Iran to play a constructive role in this regard.