Zarif Calls for ‘Concrete Measures’ to Save JCPOA

“In final 2 days of Asia tour—Turkmenistan, India, China & Japan—fruitful discussions w/ FM Kono & PM Abe in Tokyo, & FM Wang Yi in Beijing. Int'l community, #JCPOA members, & our partners must step up efforts to restore stability & save JCPOA through concrete economic measures,” Zarif tweeted on Friday upon his return from an Asia tour.

The foreign minister’s trips came as the US has been ratcheting up a policy of “maximum pressure” against Iran under President Donald Trump.

Recently, the US administration renewed five of seven sanctions waivers that allow Russia and European nations to conduct civilian nuclear cooperation with Iran but revoked the other two as part of its pressure campaign against Tehran.

Washington also stopped issuing waivers to buy Iranian crude oil on May 2.

Following the US withdrawal, Iran and the remaining parties launched talks to save the accord.

The European Union has vowed to counter Trump’s renewed sanctions on Iran, including by means of a new law to shield European companies from punitive measures, but it has so far failed to do anything beyond making statements.

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