Iran nuclear deal parties committed to saving it though ‘increasingly’ difficult: EU

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says the remaining parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, have expressed their commitment to preserving the agreement, stressing, however, that there are increasing difficulties ahead.

"It is in the interests of all to remain committed to the deal, but it is becoming increasing difficult," Mogherini told reporters after a meeting of the parties at the United Nations on Wednesday.

She said France, Britain, Germany, Russia, China and Iran had agreed to continue efforts to implement the multilateral international deal, which US President Donald Trump left in May 2018.

"Every step that has been taken so far by Iran is reversible and we call on Iran to reverse these decisions and go back to full compliance," Mogherini said, adding, “I hope that rationality will prevail."

Trump’s goal has been to get another deal as he has already described the JCPOA as "the worst deal ever negotiated.” The White House position has been that maximum pressure will continue until Iranian officials accept to sit at the negotiating table.

Iranian officials, however, say it was Washington that left the JCPOA last year although the deal was endorsed by the UN Security Council in the form of a resolution.

Tehran says talks with Washington are impossible as the latter is pressing ahead with its hostile policy and refuses to lift sanctions against the Islamic Republic.   

SS