Europe Facing Litmus Test

Chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi says implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal after the US withdrawal is a historical test for European governments.  “I believe that the Europeans are facing an important and historical test and they should not succumb to US pressures if they want to uphold  their national interest,” Boroujerdi said on Saturday, Fars News Agency reported. He referred to the US sanctions against Iran after it walked away from the nuclear deal and said Iran has its own options about staying in the deal or leave.  “There will be no deadlock for the Islamic Republic of Iran in any condition,” he said.  Since US President Donald Trump’s May 8 decision to quit the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, other signatories of the deal–the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany–have been grappling to keep the agreement alive. While Russia and China have expressed support for the deal, the other three European governments are in a dilemma -- pleasing the US as a key ally and protecting their own interests in the lucrative Iranian markets.