Periodic alerts providing news and analysis on the negotiations and implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1 (China, Germany, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and Iran over the latter's nuclear program. To receive these by email, subscribe to our regular updates list.
European Union states have responded to U.S. sanctions to facilitate legitimate trade with Iran, while a majority of the UN Security Council expresses support for the JCPOA.
Iran is pushing for EU measures to preserve oil sales, while other states seek waivers from the U.S. sanctions. In the meantime, Iran’s Defense Ministry announced plans Sept. 1 to boost production of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley continues to mischaracterize the terms of the JCPOA.
During an Aug. 19-22 trip to Israel, National Security Advisor John Bolton said U.S. sanctions reimposed on Iran are having economic effects “even stronger than we anticipated” and that the United States expects that Europeans will see that the “choice between doing business with Iran or doing business with the United States is very clear.”
The U.S. and Iran leaders exchange tweets as European allies look for options to sustain sanctions relief and keep Iran in the JCPOA and endorse regulations to protect European entities from U.S. sanctions penalties.
The UN secretary-general says the JCPOA is "at a crossroads," following the United States' withdrawal from the deal. Meanwhile, the European Union has updated its blocking regulation to include U.S. sanctions reimposed on Iran, fulfilling a decision made by the European Commission in May.