Reuters: Reports on New European Proposals to Iran at Upcoming Vienna Meeting are 'Incorrect'

On Sunday, May 19, Reuters reported, citing officials from three European countries, that a German newspaper's report about offering economic proposals to Iran in exchange for limiting its missile program and regional activities was denied. The German newspaper 'Welt am Sonntag' had earlier reported, citing 'European sources', that at the meeting on Friday between representatives of Iran and five global powers in Vienna, Iran would be offered economic assistance in exchange for halting its interventions in the region and limiting its ballistic missile program. However, Reuters reported, citing sources from the three European countries that 'participated in negotiations with Donald Trump to convince him to remain in the JCPOA', that the claim made by the German newspaper is 'incorrect'. One of these European sources told Reuters: 'The Vienna meeting next Friday will focus on issues related to the implementation of the JCPOA... and no other topics will be discussed.' Meanwhile, Abbas Araghchi, head of the JCPOA follow-up headquarters, said on Sunday after a closed session of parliament that 'we currently have no non-JCPOA discussions with European parties and we are negotiating only within the framework of the JCPOA.' According to Abbas Araghchi, the 'Joint Commission of the JCPOA' will meet on Friday 'to examine the implications of the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and its consequences.' The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister also stated that the meeting on Friday will address 'how to compensate for the absence of the U.S. and how other countries can make up for that absence.' About two weeks ago, Donald Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran, emphasizing that the JCPOA 'brought neither peace nor calm' and that the Islamic Republic continued to expand its ballistic missile program and 'support for terrorism' after the JCPOA. The three European countries have also expressed concern about Iran's missile activities and its actions in the region while emphasizing the preservation of the JCPOA. For instance, Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, recently stated that 'the JCPOA is not ideal,' but it is 'better to preserve the nuclear agreement' for discussions about other 'threatening' issues related to Iran. Despite European officials' emphasis on maintaining the JCPOA, several major companies have stated they are unwilling to continue economic cooperation with Iran due to fears of U.S. sanctions against Tehran. On the other hand, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, said on Sunday during a meeting with the European Energy Commissioner visiting Tehran that the potential exit of European companies from Iran 'would contradict Europe's commitment to the JCPOA.' German officials have not yet reacted to the report from 'Welt am Sonntag.'