France's Macron says Iran nuclear deal must be saved

France insists that the multilateral nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers, which has been severely targeted by the United States, must be saved and Tehran’s continued participation in it ensured.

President Emmanuel Macron made the remarks to reporters in the central Romanian city of Sibiu before a scheduled European Union summit there, AP reported.

The French president lauded the historical 2015 deal as “a good agreement.” noting that “Iran must remain in this agreement and we must do everything we can to ensure that it stays in.”

Macron also urged the signatories to the nuclear deal with Iran, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), not to “get caught up in any escalation” and to “jointly watch over our collective security.”

US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement last year, calling it “the worst deal ever negotiated.” He then reinstated the sanctions that had been lifted under the agreement.

On Wednesday, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani announced a decision made by the country’s top security body, the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), that it was suspending the implementation of part of its commitments under the JCPOA. The decision saw Iran refusing to sell its excess low-enriched uranium and heavy water as it is contractually obliged.

Rouhani said the Islamic Republic would be taking further steps in 60 days if the other signatories failed again to ensure that it still benefited from staying in the nuclear accord despite the US’s withdrawal.

SS