German Foreign Minister Meets Pompeo; Ongoing Disputes Between Europe and America Over JCPOA

Heiko Maas, the German Foreign Minister, reported on Wednesday, May 22, after meeting with his American counterpart Mike Pompeo, about the continuation of disputes between the U.S. and Europe regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran, known as the JCPOA. According to Reuters, the German Foreign Minister stated, "I think we are far from a compromise." Heiko Maas also suggested holding a quadrilateral meeting among Germany, Britain, France, and the U.S. regarding the way forward. On the same day, after meeting with John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor, he stated that Europe remains "very, very united" in its position supporting the nuclear agreement with Iran, as it is concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the region. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, announced two weeks ago the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran. Meanwhile, European countries have expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. action, stating that the JCPOA has closed pathways for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and must be preserved. The German Foreign Minister, after meeting with John Bolton, said that canceling the nuclear agreement with Iran would lead the country to resume its nuclear program, which would broadly jeopardize the security of Europe and Germany. He added, "Europe is very, very united in its position regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran, and this will not change. We do not want to see the proliferation of nuclear weapons in our neighborhood." The German Foreign Ministry also tweeted that Heiko Maas explained to National Security Advisor John Bolton that Europeans have a united stance and want to preserve the nuclear agreement with Iran because it directly impacts our national security. On the same day, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, set seven conditions for the Europeans, stating that if they are implemented, Iran will remain in the nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, expressed confidence that the U.S. and Europe would eventually reach a common approach to counter Iran's threats. On Monday, the U.S. Secretary of State outlined 12 demands for achieving a new nuclear agreement with Iran. Mr. Pompeo stated that the U.S. would impose "the most severe sanctions in history" against Iran and that if the Iranian government does not change its behavior, the pressure of sanctions will increase. On the other hand, following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran, U.S. officials have warned European companies that have contracted with Iran in recent years that they will be "held accountable" if they violate U.S. sanctions. The U.S. Treasury Department has given European companies 90 days to cease their activities in Iran before sanctions take effect. European leaders are now seeking and implementing solutions to avoid U.S. sanctions against Iran and to mitigate the impact of sanctions on European companies' activities in Iran.