Heiko Maas: Germany and the U.S. Pursue Common Goals Regarding Iran

Heiko Maas, the German Foreign Minister, stated on Wednesday, October 3, that despite differences with the U.S. regarding the nuclear deal with Iran, both countries pursue common goals concerning Iran. Maas, speaking to reporters after meeting with his American counterpart Mike Pompeo in Washington, said: 'Ultimately, we (Germany and the U.S.) are pursuing common goals regarding Iran. We have just chosen different paths to achieve these common goals.' The German Foreign Minister emphasized that Germany, in addition to concerns about Iran's missile program, believes that Iran should withdraw from Syria. Iran and Russia are the main supporters of Bashar al-Assad's government in the country's civil war. Iran, in addition to providing financial and military assistance to the Syrian government, has mobilized Shiite militias in the region to support the Assad regime. Maas also stated that the cancellation of the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, would lead Iran to seek nuclear weapons. He asserted that this would create a risk of military conflict in the region. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions against Iran, the foreign ministers of the five remaining countries in the JCPOA and Iran announced on September 24 the establishment of a special mechanism to circumvent U.S. sanctions and preserve the nuclear agreement. This mechanism is intended to facilitate trade and financial transactions with Tehran amid the implementation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. The establishment of a 'special financial institution' for continued trade with Iran after the re-imposition of U.S. economic sanctions had been previously proposed. Reports indicated that this financial institution would act as an intermediary exchange and could facilitate trade between Iranian and European economic parties through the exchange and transfer of financial credits. These European actions occur while U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that any individual or country violating U.S. sanctions against Iran will face a response from the United States. Trump believes that the nuclear agreement neither serves U.S. national interests nor prevents Iran from ultimately acquiring nuclear weapons and does not stop issues such as 'support for terrorism,' 'destabilizing activities,' or the development of the Islamic Republic's missile program. Following the U.S. exit from the JCPOA, one phase of U.S. sanctions has been implemented, and the second phase, which includes oil sanctions, is set to be enforced starting November 4.