Europe rejects Iran ‘ultimatum’

European powers yesterday rejected “ultimatums” from Tehran but vowed to fight to save the deal, as tensions with the US soar. Iran said it would defy some restrictions agreed under the 2015 accord and threatened to go further if Europe, China and Russia fail to deliver sanctions relief within 60 days. Europe has stressed the importance of the deal for its own security, and EU president JeanClaude Juncker said it would be on the agenda at summit in the Romanian town of Sibiu.

French President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm, saying Europe must work to convince Iran to stick with the deal. “We must not get jumpy or fall into escalation,” Macron said. EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and France, Germany and Britain -- the three European signatories to the deal -- voiced “great concern” at President Hassan Rouhani’s dramatic intervention. “We reject any ultimatums and we will assess Iran’s compliance on the basis of Iran’s performance regarding its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA.” they said in a joint statement, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Macron warned that leaving the deal would “unstitch what we have achieved”. “That’s why France is staying in, and will stay in and I profoundly hope Iran will stay in,” Macron said as he arrived for the summit. The EU statement stressed the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) role in monitoring Iran’s compliance with the deal -- suggesting no concrete action is likely until the inspectors’ next report at the end of May.

Trump hit back at Tehran’s threats by tightening the economic screws further, slapping sanctions on the Iranian mining industry to add to swingeing measures on oil exports -- the country’s main money-maker. “Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct,” Trump said in a statement.