EU Parliament Tries To Help Save The Iran Nuclear Deal

Reuters: EU lawmakers back plan for European Investment Bank work in Iran

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU lawmakers gave approval on Wednesday for the European Investment Bank (EIB) to do business in Iran, overcoming a blocking attempt and keeping alive plans to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran that Washington has abandoned.

The EIB, the European Union’s not-for-profit long term investment arm, is a key pillar of the bloc’s attempts to maintain business links with Iran in the face of Washington’s decision to re-impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

However, the EU lawmakers’ decision does not oblige the EIB to work with Iran, a move that could jeopardize its ability to raise money on U.S. markets and so have far reaching consequences for its operations.

The European Parliament overwhelmingly blocked a motion by far-right lawmakers seeking to prevent the European Commission from lifting restrictions on the EIB in Iran, setting the stage for the measure to come into effect at the start of August.

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Update: EU parliament supports EIB’s work with Iran in defiance of US threats (Press TV).

WNU Editor: Iranian President Rouhani is tell German chancellor Merkel and French President Macron that he is not pleased with what they are offering .... Rouhani tells Macron Europe’s package does not meet Iranian demands: IRNA (Reuters). More here .... Rouhani tells Merkel EU package is 'disappointing': Tasnim (Reuters). But he is still throwing them a bone .... Iran to cooperate with Europe if nuclear talks succeed Friday: Rouhani (Press TV).

Update #2: Russia and China are now stepping in with a commitment to try and save the deal. From Russia .... Russia says will leave no stone unturned to keep Iran nuclear deal alive (Press TV). From China .... China rejects US call to stop Iran oil imports (Mehr News agency).

Update #3: The big meeting is tomorrow .... Europe, China, Russia to meet Iran on Friday in Vienna (Reuters).