European powers back Iran deal ahead of UN summit

TEHRAN – A number of European leaders have expressed support for the 2015 nuclear deal ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.

Kerry defends Iran deal, censures Trump for ‘making things up’

Former U.S. secretary of state John Kerry has censured Donald Trump's claim that the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran was the "worst ever", saying the U.S. president makes things up and does not often make decisions based on fact or advice.

By Eric Zuesse

Why Trump cancelled Iran Deal

The following is entirely from open online sources that I have been finding to be trustworthy on these matters in the past. These sources will be linked-to here; none of this information is secret, even though some details in my resulting analysis of it will be entirely new.

EU confirms Iran enrichment plan not in nuclear deal violation

The European Union says a "first assessment" indicated that Iran's declared intention to increase uranium enrichment capacity did not violate Tehran's commitments under a landmark nuclear agreement it signed with major world powers in 2015.

UN Security Council to hold meeting on Iran deal

TEHRAN – The UN Security Council is to hold a meeting on June 19 on Resolution 2231 which endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). 

No alternative to Iran deal: German FM

TEHRAN – German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Monday that he was not surprised by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s attack on the Iran nuclear deal, before adding, “We do not see at this time a better alternative.”

'No alternative' to Iran deal, EU's Mogherini tells U.S.

BRUSSELS – European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini warned Monday there was "no alternative" to the Iran nuclear deal, after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed unprecedented sanctions against Tehran following Washington´s withdrawal from the pact.

By Javad Heirannia

EU has legal tools to protect its companies from U.S. sanctions: Former French diplomat

TEHRAN - France Former spokesman of Foreign Ministry says that “EU has stated its firm intention to continue applying the JCPOA and keeping sanctions on Iran removed.”

EU moves to use euro in dealings with Iran

Salehi: Iran to resume 20% enrichment if EU fails to save JCPOA

TEHRAN - Ali Akbar Salehi, director of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, announced on Saturday that the European Union has made proposals and also taken initial steps to use euro in transactions with Iran.

By Javad Heirannia

EU is likely to stick to JCPOA: Adib-Moghaddam

TEHRAN - Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, Chair of the Centre for Iranian Studies at the London Middle East Institute believes that European Union is likely to stick to the JCPOA.”

Merkel backs Iran deal

BERLIN - Germany’s Angela Merkel on Wednesday defended the Iran nuclear deal following its rejection by Washington, arguing the pact is the best way to tackle concerns about Tehran’s role in Syria and its ballistic missile program.

Ayatollah Khamenei to Trump: ‘You cannot do a damn thing’ 

TEHRAN – In response to Donald Trump who on Tuesday withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear deal and made threats against Iran, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei said, “You (Trump) cannot do a damn thing.” 

U.S. lawmaker: Trump may continue Iran deal

TEHRAN – Mark Meadows, a U.S. lawmaker and a close ally to President Donald Trump, said on Thursday that he expects the Trump administration will keep compliance with the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, at least in the short run.

Sherman questions what Trump will do if he scraps nuclear deal 

Wendy Sherman, the former undersecretary of state for political affairs who led the U.S. negotiating team that concluded the Iran nuclear agreement, has questioned the usefulness of the Trump administration walking out of the Iran deal.

Tehran calls EU’s proposed sanctions ‘big miscalculation’

TEHRAN – Iran has rejected a recent decision by the European Union to propose new sanctions on Iran as “big miscalculation”.

Trump says he fired Tillerson due to disagreement over Iran deal

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he dismissed Rex Tillerson as secretary of state at least in part over a disagreement on how best to proceed with the Iran nuclear deal.

Tehran confirms Zarif, Kerry met in Munich

TEHRAN - Tehran has confirmed that the Iranian foreign minister and his former American counterpart met during the Munich Security Conference on February 18.

U.S. Congress unwilling to quit Iran deal: expert

TEHRAN – The U.S. Congress is not inclined to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement, but it is willing to modify it, a U.S. expert said, noting that the legislative body is evaluating the stances of their European allies.

Russia, IAEA discuss Iran deal

TEHRAN – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on Monday met with IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards Tero Varjoranta to discuss the Iran deal and other issues.

Washington won’t certify ‘ill-conceived’ Iran deal: Pence

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Monday warned that Washington will not certify the “ill-conceived” Iran nuclear deal, reiterating a previous threat from U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw from the deal unless it is fixed. 

Trump could kill Iran nuclear deal in January: Politico

U.S. President Donald Trump will soon face a series of deadlines during which he could deliver on a campaign promise to rip up the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.

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Non-nuclear concerns should not undermine JCPOA: German ambassador

TEHRAN – Germany will continue to make it clear that concerns about nonnuclear issues should not be used as pretext to jeopardize the Iran deal, aka the JCPOA, Germany’s ambassador to Tehran says in an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times.

Ex-U.S. negotiator says JCPOA working by scientific verification, not trust

Kerry: JCPOA had no spirit to be violated

TEHRAN – Former U.S. secretary of state John Kerry has condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to decertify the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, stressing that the agreement is working as expected.

France apparently putting itself out for Iran deal

TEHRAN – France is apparently putting itself out to protect the Iran nuclear deal against threats by the United States.

90 U.S. nuclear scientists urge Congress to protect Iran deal

TEHRAN – More than 90 top U.S. nuclear scientists have written a letter to Congress urging it to protect the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran.

Russia not to take part in any talks to amend nuclear deal

Russia has said it is confident that Iran is fulfilling all its obligations under a multilateral agreement on its nuclear program and will not take part in any talks on amending the deal.

EU foreign policy chief expects strong EU backing for Iran deal

LUXEMBOURG - European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Monday she expected strong backing from EU foreign ministers for the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers that the U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized.