Joint statement by High Representative and Foreign Ministers of
E3 (Jean-Yves Le Drian of France, Heiko Maas of Germany, of the United Kingdom) following
the re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran due to its withdrawal
from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA).
We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, due to
the latter’s withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA).
The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure
that the Iranian programme remains exclusively peaceful, as
confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 11
consecutive reports. It is a key element of the global nuclear
non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of
Europe, the region, and the entire world. We expect Iran to
continue to fully implement all its nuclear commitments under the
JCPOA.
The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of
the deal – it aims at having a positive impact not only on trade
and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the
lives of the Iranian people. We are determined to protect
European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with
Iran, in accordance with EU law and with UN Security Council
resolution 2231. This is why the European Union’s updated
Blocking Statute enters into force on 7 August to protect EU
companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of
US extra-territorial sanctions.
The remaining parties to the JCPOA have committed to work on,
inter alia, the preservation and maintenance of effective
financial channels with Iran, and the continuation of Iran’s
export of oil and gas. On these, as on other topics, our work
continues, including with third countries interested in
supporting the JCPOA and maintaining economic relations with
Iran. These efforts will be intensified and reviewed at
Ministerial level in the coming weeks.
Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting
international agreements and a matter of international security.
