This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44090948
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iran nuclear deal: Europe strives to keep agreement | Iran nuclear deal: Europe strives to keep agreement |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A flurry of diplomatic activity is under way to rescue the Iran nuclear deal after President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from it and bring back sanctions against Tehran. | A flurry of diplomatic activity is under way to rescue the Iran nuclear deal after President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from it and bring back sanctions against Tehran. |
| German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with President Putin of Russia, and UK PM Theresa May has talked to Mr Trump. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with President Putin of Russia, and UK PM Theresa May has talked to Mr Trump. |
| French ministers have been loudest in their complaints that major European businesses will be hit hard as US sanctions are re-imposed. | French ministers have been loudest in their complaints that major European businesses will be hit hard as US sanctions are re-imposed. |
| Mr Trump says the deal is "horrible". | Mr Trump says the deal is "horrible". |
| Among his concerns are that restrictions on Iran's nuclear programme are due to expire and the deal does not address Iran's ballistic missile programme or its regional influence. | |
| On Tuesday Mr Trump honoured an election pledge to scrap US participation in the 2015 accord. Sanctions will be re-imposed in two stages in August and November. | On Tuesday Mr Trump honoured an election pledge to scrap US participation in the 2015 accord. Sanctions will be re-imposed in two stages in August and November. |
| Why are the Europeans trying to keep the deal alive? | Why are the Europeans trying to keep the deal alive? |
| Under the agreement Iran undertook to curb nuclear activities in return for the lifting of sanctions. | Under the agreement Iran undertook to curb nuclear activities in return for the lifting of sanctions. |
| The deal, negotiated by the US, three European Union powers, Russia and China, was designed to prevent Iran developing atomic weapons - something it has always denied trying to do. | The deal, negotiated by the US, three European Union powers, Russia and China, was designed to prevent Iran developing atomic weapons - something it has always denied trying to do. |
| The agreement is still seen by the non-US signatories as the best way of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power, though they concede it is not perfect. | The agreement is still seen by the non-US signatories as the best way of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power, though they concede it is not perfect. |
| The Europeans also stand to lose billions of dollars of business when US sanctions return. | The Europeans also stand to lose billions of dollars of business when US sanctions return. |
| A deal by the European plane-manufacturer, Airbus, to sell nearly 100 planes to Iran is now in danger. Some parts used in the planes are made in the US. | A deal by the European plane-manufacturer, Airbus, to sell nearly 100 planes to Iran is now in danger. Some parts used in the planes are made in the US. |
| Big French firms such as energy giant Total and car-makers Renault and Peugeot also have investments in Iran. | Big French firms such as energy giant Total and car-makers Renault and Peugeot also have investments in Iran. |
| Both France and Germany have seen a sharp rise in exports to Iran since sanctions were lifted in 2016. | Both France and Germany have seen a sharp rise in exports to Iran since sanctions were lifted in 2016. |
| How are the Europeans trying to rescue the agreement? | How are the Europeans trying to rescue the agreement? |
| France has condemned the re-imposition of sanctions as "unacceptable". Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said Europe had to defend its "economic sovereignty". | France has condemned the re-imposition of sanctions as "unacceptable". Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said Europe had to defend its "economic sovereignty". |
| "Do we want to be vassals deferring with a curtsy and a bow to decisions made by the US?" he asked. | "Do we want to be vassals deferring with a curtsy and a bow to decisions made by the US?" he asked. |
| Mr Le Maire called on the European Commission to look into possible retaliatory measures. | Mr Le Maire called on the European Commission to look into possible retaliatory measures. |
| But both Mr Le Maire and his German opposite number, Olaf Scholz, are also speaking to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to seek exemptions for European companies. | But both Mr Le Maire and his German opposite number, Olaf Scholz, are also speaking to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to seek exemptions for European companies. |
| Mrs May spoke on the phone to Mr Trump to tell him that Europe remained "firmly committed" to the deal, according to Downing Street. | Mrs May spoke on the phone to Mr Trump to tell him that Europe remained "firmly committed" to the deal, according to Downing Street. |
| Both leaders agreed on the need for talks on how sanctions would affect foreign companies trading with Iran. | Both leaders agreed on the need for talks on how sanctions would affect foreign companies trading with Iran. |
| What else is happening on the diplomatic front? | What else is happening on the diplomatic front? |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with Mrs Merkel and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the deal, the Kremlin said. | Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with Mrs Merkel and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the deal, the Kremlin said. |
| Keeping it alive "is something we need to discuss with Iran," Mrs Merkel has said. She said scrapping the accord unilaterally damaged trust in the world order. | Keeping it alive "is something we need to discuss with Iran," Mrs Merkel has said. She said scrapping the accord unilaterally damaged trust in the world order. |
| Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is to visit China, Russia and Brussels, starting on Saturday. | Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is to visit China, Russia and Brussels, starting on Saturday. |
| And on Tuesday, foreign ministers from Germany, the UK and France will meet. | And on Tuesday, foreign ministers from Germany, the UK and France will meet. |
| Iran nuclear deal: Key details | Iran nuclear deal: Key details |