European Powers to Meet Iran to Back Nuclear Deal, in Message to Trump

European Nations Remain Committed to Pact

The three EU member nations that are party to the P5+1 nuclear deal, Germany, France, and Britain, intend to meet with Iranian officials on Thursday to reaffirm their support for the nuclear deal, in a move seen as intended to send a message to US President Donald Trump.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British PM Theresa May, and French President Emmanuel Macron

US excluded, all of the P5+1 nations have endorsed the nuclear deal repeatedly. President Trump decertified it in October, and is expected to do so again this week, though officials say he is likely to continue to honor the deal by keeping sanctions relief in place.

European Union diplomats say the goal of their affirmation of the deal is to once again underscore that Iran is complying with the terms of the agreement, something the IAEA has repeatedly certified, though President Trump has accused Iran of failing to do.

Though Iran had hinted they might withdraw from the deal if the US dishonored its terms, there have been repeated talks between them and all the other parties about keeping the deal in place in the event the US withdrew.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.