Mogherini: Preserving the JCPOA is Difficult, but We Are Determined to Implement It

Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, stated after the EU foreign ministers' meeting on June 7 regarding the JCPOA: "No one thinks this is easy, but we are determined to preserve and implement it." The Lithuanian foreign minister mentioned that steps should be taken to prevent a trade war between the US and Europe due to Iran's sanctions. Mogherini emphasized that according to the latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran is still complying with the JCPOA and adhering to all enrichment-related issues. She noted that member states are intensively coordinating their efforts to "protect the economic investments of Europeans who have legally invested in Iran and traded with the country" over the past three years. However, Jacek Czaputowicz, the Polish foreign minister, stated that his country opposes any EU actions that would undermine US sanctions. Donald Trump, the US President, announced on May 8 that the US would withdraw from the JCPOA, and the suspended sanctions against Iran would be reinstated and even intensified. These sanctions could target the trade of European companies and countries with Iran, leading some major companies that have significant trade with the US to exit the Iranian market. Nevertheless, France, Germany, and the UK have stated their commitment to preserving the JCPOA, which prevents the acquisition of nuclear weapons. Mogherini said on Monday: "For us, preserving the JCPOA is not for economic interests. It is for security interests." She dismissed reports of a rift between Poland and the rest of the EU over the JCPOA. Meanwhile, Lithuania has also joined the opposition against weakening EU-US relations due to the JCPOA. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius stated after the Brussels meeting that the discussion was about ensuring the JCPOA continues but not at the cost of transatlantic relations. He emphasized the importance of supporting their own companies while reiterating the significance of transatlantic relations. Although Mogherini, representing all EU countries, stated efforts are being made to preserve the JCPOA, gradually some European countries have suggested that it may be better to focus on maintaining relations with the US rather than with Iran. The Polish foreign minister had previously urged European countries to "consider the motivations of the United States for this action and show more empathy towards Washington." In response to a question about whether there is a divide between Western and Eastern European countries, Linkevičius confirmed that there is indeed a divergence, but assured that this is not just an East-West issue, as more voices are calling for unity in this matter. He added that the JCPOA is still active and depends on Iran's position and whether it will adhere to its commitments. He also noted that one reason for the complexity of the situation is the insufficient attention given to issues raised by the US, Israel, and others, such as Iran's behavior in the region, accusations of supporting terrorist groups, and ballistic missile programs, which have not been adequately addressed in the JCPOA. Linkevičius stated that preventing a trade war between the US and Europe due to Iran's sanctions is crucial, as it could have adverse effects that would not align with the interests of the EU. He emphasized that maintaining US-EU relations is more important. In the latest meeting between Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, both sides announced that experts from Iran and the EU are currently discussing nine important areas, including the sale of oil and gas and petrochemical products from Iran, financial transfers, investment in Iran, and support for European economic actors in Iran.