Mogherini: Encouraging Increased Trade with Iran is Vital for Preserving the JCPOA

The senior foreign policy official of the European Union states that the bloc has encouraged companies and traders to increase exchanges with Iran, deeming it essential for maintaining the nuclear agreement, international security, and the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. According to the Associated Press, Federica Mogherini, during her visit to New Zealand on August 7, told reporters that the EU decides for itself whom it wants to trade with. Mogherini stated, 'We are doing everything we can to ensure that Iran maintains the nuclear agreement so that it can benefit from the economic advantages this agreement has brought to the Iranian people, as we believe this is important not only for the security of our region but also for international security. We must strive to preserve all agreements that advance the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.' The New Zealand online news agency 'Scoop' also reported that during the meeting between Mogherini and Winston Peters, the country's foreign minister, both sides declared their 'strong support for the JCPOA and described it as one of the fundamental pillars of the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.' According to this report, Peters thanked the EU for its efforts to preserve this agreement. Mogherini's remarks in New Zealand are the latest response from the EU regarding the Trump administration's withdrawal from the JCPOA and the reinstatement of U.S. sanctions against Tehran. Unlike Trump and his administration, Europeans have repeatedly emphasized the necessity of preserving the JCPOA. Trump and many members of the ruling Republican Party in the U.S. opposed the agreement both during the nuclear negotiations and after its formation. Saudi Arabia and Israel, key U.S. allies in West Asia, have also expressed their support for Washington's withdrawal from the JCPOA. The U.S. President describes the July 2015 agreement with Iran in exchange for lifting sanctions as a 'terrible and one-sided deal.' From Trump's perspective, the JCPOA led to a flow of money to Iran, which the Islamic Republic used for conflicts in the Middle East and other actions in the region. Washington has accused Tehran of engaging in destructive and destabilizing activities. Trump has stated that the U.S. calls on all countries to 'make it clear that the Iranian regime is faced with a choice: either change its threatening and destabilizing behavior and join the global economy or continue down its path of economic isolation.' On Monday, he signed an executive order reinstating the first phase of sanctions against Iran. The U.S. President has emphasized that his administration's policy is to 'apply maximum economic pressure' on Iran. Despite opposing the withdrawal from the JCPOA, Europe has aligned with the U.S. in criticizing Iran's regional activities and the development of ballistic missile programs. Iran has denied allegations of interference in regional affairs and 'creating instability,' stating that its missile program, while facing extensive military sanctions, has 'defensive' objectives. Tehran has emphasized its support for groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, which the U.S. considers terrorist, and for Shiite militias in various countries, including Yemen, describing them as 'resistance' groups. Following Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the JCPOA, the Treasury Department announced on May 7 that a wide range of sanctions against Iran, including oil sanctions and sanctions against the central bank, would be implemented over a period of 90 to 180 days.