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BRUSSELS (AP) \u2014 The European Union expressed regret on Monday over Iran\u2019s announcement that it will no longer be bound by all its nuclear obligations, but remained determined to keep alive an international deal preventing the Islamic Republic from developing atomic weapons.<\/p>\n
The 2015 nuclear agreement has been on life support since President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned it in 2018, triggering sanctions that have hurt Iran\u2019s moribund economy. Since then, Tehran has gradually rolled back its commitment to the deal.<\/p>\n
After its top general was assassinated in a U.S. drone attack, Iran announced over the weekend that it would no longer respect limits set on how many centrifuges it can use to enrich uranium. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the move was a \u201cremedial step\u201d taken within the framework of the nuclear deal and he said it could be reversed.<\/p>\n
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed \u201cdeep regret\u201d at the news. He tweeted that full implementation of the nuclear deal by all parties \u201cis now more important than ever, for regional stability and global security.\u201d<\/p>\n
The EU supervises the deal under which Tehran limits its nuclear ambitions in exchange for economic incentives, but it relies on the U.N.\u2019s nuclear watchdog to monitor whether Iran is complying, as it has continued to do so far despite its belligerent rhetoric.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to rely on, and see, what the International Atomic Energy Agency says about the deeds on the ground,\u201d Borrell\u2019s spokesman, Peter Stano, told reporters.<\/p>\n
The IAEA told The Associated Press that it was aware of Iran’s announcement, but noted that Tehran’s statement \u201calso said that Iran’s cooperation with the Agency will continue as before.\u201d<\/p>\n
“IAEA inspectors continue to carry out verification and monitoring activities in the country,” the agency said in an e-mailed statement. \u201cThe IAEA will keep its member states informed of any developments in this regard in a timely manner as appropriate.”<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s announcement and the U.S. killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad last week has sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity in Europe. Borrell has invited Zarif to Brussels, and EU foreign ministers will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to address the issue. It remained unclear Monday whether Zarif would accept the invitation.<\/p>\n
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the Europeans will talk to Iran and the U.N. nuclear watchdog and take a coordinated decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis could be the first step toward the end of this agreement, which would be a great loss \u2014 and so we will weigh things up very, very responsibly,\u201d Maas told Deutschlandfunk radio.<\/p>\n
He noted that the agreement contains procedures to respond to such situations. They include the triggering of a \u201cdispute mechanism\u201d that could buy more time to help keep Iran on board.<\/p>\n
The EU finds itself in an increasingly awkward position and has been reduced to calling for calm as it seeks to keep Iran inside the agreement and maintain good ties with Washington despite deep concern over the drone killing.<\/p>\n
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has already expressed frustration at the muted European reaction to events in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrankly, the Europeans haven’t been as helpful as I wish that they could be. The Brits, the French, the Germans all need to understand that what we did, what the Americans did, saved lives in Europe as well,\u201d Pompeo said.<\/p>\n
On a visit to Germany, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU commissioners would also discuss developments on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe European Union has in recent years built up very reliable channels of dialogue with almost all actors in the region, which it can and must now use,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Von der Leyen declined to assess Trump\u2019s style in threatening retaliation via Twitter, saying that \u201cmy job isn\u2019t to evaluate \u2013 my job is to de-escalate.\u201d She was firm in pinning the blame for the crisis on forces close to Iran.<\/p>\n
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Geir Moulson and Dave Rising in Berlin contributed to this report.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n