国际英语资讯:EU top diplomats agree to follow through Iran nuclear deal

BRUSSELS, May 15 -- European top diplomats on Tuesday agreed to follow through the landmark Iran nuclear deal despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw last week, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters on Tuesday.

To this end, the EU will launch intensive discussion at all levels with Iran in next few weeks, Mogherini said at a press conference following a meeting with foreign ministers of Britain, Germany, France and Iran.

The discussion will focus on, among others, how to maintain economic relations and effective banking transactions with Iran in the context of renewed U.S sanctions, according to Mogherini.

"We reaffirm our resolve to continue to implement the nuclear deal in all its part, in good faith, and in a constructive atmosphere," said Mogherini.

She added that she will brief leaders of EU members states on Wednesday in Sofia, Bulgaria, which is about to host the EU-Western Balkan summit.

When leaving the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif echoed Mogherini, saying "it's the start of the process, a lot depends on what we do in the next few weeks. I believe it's a good start."

"We need to receive those guarantees, and we will see how best we will move over," Zarif told reporters.

Zarif is in Brussels on the final leg of a whirlwind diplomatic tour to save the 2017 nuclear deal after the recent U.S. withdrawal from the pact.

Trump declared last week that the United States would withdraw from the deal, claiming that it had failed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons or supporting terrorism in the region.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Iran has so far complied with all of the conditions established under the nuclear deal.

The landmark agreement was signed in July 2017 by Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus the EU and Germany.