Zarif: Europe will stick to nuclear deal if US abandons it

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has stated that Europe would continue to implement its commitments under the nuclear deal if US President Donald Trump decides to abandon it.

In an interview with Khabar Online conducted by Al-Monitor contributor Saeid Jafari on Sept. 5, Zarif addressed the issue of what Europe would do if the Trump administration attempts to kill the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and the six world powers.

“Europe is not necessarily forced to choose between its relationship with Iran and its relationship with the US. Europe can resist the excessive US demands while maintaining its relationship with Iran, and it can [also] prevent the US from pressuring European companies," Zarif said in the interview.

He added, “Europe’s choice is [in effect that of whether] to choose itself or pursue [US interests]. If they choose themselves, they will pursue their [own] interests, and I’m definitely sure that Europe’s economy is so big that the Americans can’t do away with it. [Just] as Europe can’t do away with the US, the US can neither do away with Europe.”