EU remains committed to Iran nuclear deal as key security element: Spokesperson

A spokesman for the European Union says the bloc remains committed to implementing a landmark nuclear deal Iran signed with the 5+1 group in 2015 in order to observe international agreements and respect EU’s shared international security.

The Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Peter Stano, made the remarks in an interview with New Europe on Friday, in response to a question about Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"The Iran nuclear deal, which was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council [Resolution 2231], is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and contributes to the security of the region, for Europe and beyond," Stano said.

"The EU remains committed to implementing the JCPOA as a matter of respecting international agreements and of our shared international security,” he added.

He emphasized that based on the deal, the Joint Commission of the JCPOA is the only relevant forum for dialog to address all issues of concern.

The EU spokesman's remarks came as the United States is trying to invoke the snapback mechanism in the multilateral nuclear agreement despite its withdrawal from the accord in May 2018.

The United States’ most prominent Western allies have refused to fall into step with the push, which follows Washington’s humiliating defeat in securing an extension of the UN arms embargo against Iran at the UNSC.

Only the Dominican Republic voted ‘yes’ to Washington’s resolution calling for the extension of the embargo beyond October 18.

The president of the Security Council on August 25 dismissed attempts by the US to reinstate all UN sanctions against Iran due to a lack of consensus in the 15-member body.

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