DUBAI – Iran is ready to work with European Union on issues related to the nuclear deal 2016. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said this on Monday, reported by the ISNA news service.
He made his comments at a meeting with Josep Borell, the head of the EU’s foreign service. Borell travelled to Iran to reduce tensions after the U.S. assassination of Qassem Soleimani last month.
President Rouhani further said “The Islamic Republic of Iran is still ready for interaction and cooperation with the European Union for resolving issues and, whenever the opposite side completely upholds their commitments, Iran will return to its commitments.” This was said after declaring Iran is ready to work with European Union on Nuclear deal.
Under the 2016 deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of most international sanctions. This was the case until US withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran.
Iran began reducing its commitments under the nuclear deal last year. It was to put pressure on the parties remaining in the accord to protect its economy from U.S. sanctions while allowing Iran to gain the full benefits outlined in the deal.
Iran could quit the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if European countries refer it to the U.N. Security Council over the nuclear agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in late January.
The 1968 NPT has been the foundation of global nuclear arms control since the Cold War.