Europe's Parliament Wants To Blacklist Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)

A general view at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, December 13, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo  

Reuters: EU Parliament calls for more sanctions against Iranian regime 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European lawmakers adopted a resolution on Thursday calling for more sanctions against all Iranian individuals and entities responsible for human right violations and also voted for the Revolutionary Guard Corps to be designated as a terrorist entity. 

"Iranian authorities must end crackdown on their own citizens (...) Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi should be added to the sanctions list," the European Parliament said in a statement. 

Anti-government demonstrations erupted in Iran in September after the death in custody of Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by morality police enforcing the Islamic Republic's mandatory dress code for women.  

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Update #1: MEPs call for blacklisting of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (The Guardian)  

Update #2: European Parliament slaps sanctions on Iran's IRGC (Al-Monitor)  

WNU editor: Iran has responded .... Iran warns EU not to list Revolutionary Guards as terrorist entity (Reuters).

EU Considering Listing Iran’s Revolutionary Guards As A Terror Group

FILE PHOTO: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during a conference of her counterparts from the six Western Balkans countries, plus those from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece and Slovenia, in Berlin, Germany, October 21, 2022. REUTERS/Christian Mang  

Reuters: EU examines classifying Iran Revolutionary Guards as terrorists - Germany 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany and the European Union are examining whether to classify Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday. 

"I made it clear last week that we will launch another package of sanctions, that we will examine how we can also list the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation," Baerbock said in a interview with ARD broadcaster on Sunday. 

Her comments come after the head of the Revolutionary Guards warned protesters that Saturday would be their last day of taking to the streets, in a sign that security forces may intensify their already fierce crackdown on widespread unrest.  

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Update #1: EU considering listing Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as terror group, says Berlin -- Times Of Israel/AFP  

Update #2: European Union Mulling Move to List Iran's Revolutionary Guards as Terrorists: Report -- News 18  

WNU Editor: Iran is responding to these reports .... Iran summons German ambassador over interference (DW). More here .... Iran Rejects Potential Sanctions Against Revolutionary Guards (VOA), and here .... Iran Raps Germany’s Unconstructive Plan to Blacklist IRGC (Tasnim News Agency from Iran).

Iranian President Rouhani Makes Veiled Threat To U.S. And European Troops In The Middle East

CNBC: ‘Danger tomorrow’: Iran’s Rouhani makes veiled threat to US and EU troops in Middle East

* Iranian President Hassan Rouhani lashed out at the U.S. and Europe in a televised speech on state TV on Wednesday.
* Rouhani slammed the EU’s “failure to keep it promises” under the 2015 nuclear deal and blamed the U.S. for making the Middle East insecure.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates ⁠— In an angry speech on state television, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani lashed out at the U.S. and Europe for its presence in the Middle East and for what he described as the latter’s failures in upholding the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.

U.S. troops are “insecure” in the region today, and EU troops “might be in danger tomorrow,” Rouhani declared, according to a Reuters translation, marking the first time the leader has directed a threat toward European forces in the region. He demanded the U.S. leave and accused it of making the region insecure, saying it should “apologize to Tehran” for its “previous crimes.”

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WNU Editor: Some of the threats that Iran is issuing are not veiled .... US Envoy In Germany Warns Iran Over Call To 'Chop British Ambassador Into Pieces' (RFE).

More News On Iranian President Rouhani Making Veiled Threats To U.S. And European Troops In The Middle East

Any wrong step will harm Europeans: Rouhani -- Tehran Times
European troops may be at risk after dispute process triggered – Iran -- The Guardian
Iran’s President Lashes Out at Europeans Over Crumbling Nuclear Deal -- The New York Times
Iran accuses Europe of yielding to 'high school bully' Trump in nuclear row -- Reuters
Iran tries to woo Europeans by threatening to kill them -- Washington Examiner

Is Europe Hostage To Iran On Nukes?

European politicians have stayed silent on the latest wave of protests to rock Iran | European Pressphoto Agency

Politico: Iran takes Europe hostage on nukes

EU leaders have at times sounded more critical of Trump than Tehran.

For Europe, it’s like choosing a poison: U.S. President Donald Trump or Iran?

As Tehran inches ever closer to developing nuclear weapons, pressure is building on the European Union to choose a side in a standoff where it has done its utmost to remain on the sidelines.

Europe has taken pains to keep alive the West’s 2015 nuclear deal with Iran after Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord in May of last year.

Trump’s Republican Party had opposed the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from the outset. He argued the agreement wouldn’t prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons in the long term.

But within the EU, the JCPOA represented the defining moment of the bloc’s diplomacy — a singular achievement the region’s leaders believed confirmed the EU’s ability to act in unison on foreign policy.

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WNU Editor: The silence from European leaders on the latest unrest in Iran has been deafening. Their inability to respond to Iran's expansion of its nuclear enrichment program is also not a surprise to me. All the promises that the European governments have made to placate Iranian demands are falling short, and the reason why is that the Europeans do not have the resources and monies to meet the demands from Tehran. Even EU attempts to encourage major European companies to invest and trade with Iran are going nowhere. No surprises there. U.S. sanctions carry heavy penalties, and who wants to get involved in Iran with the current unrest and political instability. So the policy is to criticize President Trump, and stay quiet on Iran with the hope that things will work out.

European Diplomatic Efforts With Iran Have Failed

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with members of the Assembly of Experts in Tehran, Sept. 26, 2019. Khamenei.ir

Con Coughlin, Gatestone Institute: Rouhani Has Exposed the Futility of European Diplomacy

* The reality of the delusional approach adopted by Mr Macron and other European leaders was, though, brutally exposed the moment Mr Rouhani arrived in New York. Instead of showing any sign of seeking to repair Tehran's strained relationship with the West and its allies, he instead indulged in an orgy of self-justification in which he sought to portray his country as an innocent victim of Western aggression rather than accepting, as is really the case, that Iran was the primary instigator of the latest escalation in tensions.

* "The security of our region shall be provided when American troops pull out." — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, UN General Assembly, September 25, 2019.

* This will have made for uncomfortable listening for all those European leaders who still believe that the best way to resolve the global crisis with Iran is by trying to save the nuclear deal.

* The reality is that, so long as Tehran remains committed to its hostile stance towards the West, there is little prospect of having a constructive relationship with Iran.

The utter futility of European attempts to keep faith with the flawed Iranian nuclear deal has been brutally exposed in the wake of the uncompromising approach adopted by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during the United Nations General Assembly.

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WNU Editor: You know your diplomatic efforts have failed when the other side does not care about your warnings on nuclear breaches .... Iran rejects European warning on nuclear deal breaches (Al-Monitor), and when the Supreme Leader says you are untrustworthy .... Iranian leaders call Europe untrustworthy and the US abhorrent (DW). More here .... Iran's supreme leader says it’s time to move on from Europe (Al-Monitor).

Macron & Johnson Plead With Rouhani To Meet With Trump

Macron to Rouhani: If you leave the country without meeting with President Trump, honestly it would be a loss of opportunity.pic.twitter.com/yDfV2aQbOm

— Reza Khaasteh (@Khaaasteh) September 25, 2019

Zero Hedge: Video Captures Awkward Moment Macron & Johnson Plead With Rouhani To Meet With Trump

On the sideline of the UN General Assembly in New York Tuesday evening, prior to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani's main address on Wednesday, this surprise and somewhat awkward scene unfolded:

"You need to be on the side of the swimming pool and jump at the same time," urged Boris Johnson after Macron implored Rouhani not to lose the opportunity to meet with Trump while in New York.

Rouhani merely laughed vigorously as the British prime minister literally pretended to leap off the edge of a pool.

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WNU editor: There are times when I truly wonder if our leaders know what they are doing. This is one of those times. Bottom line. Iran will not talk with President Trump. Iran's focus right now is to use military pressure and threats on U.S. allies to pressure the U.S. to drop sanctions.

European Powers Blame Iran For Saudi Oil Attack

Daily Mail: 'It is clear Iran is responsible' for attack on Saudi oil facility, Britain, France and Germany say in joint UN statement hours after Boris Johnson said UK could join military strikes in retaliation

* Emmanuel Macron, Boris Johnson and Angela Merkel met together earlier today
* Now, they have issued a joint statement saying Iran is behind the Saudi attack
* The statement also urged Tehran to choose dialogue over 'further provocation'

Britain, France and Germany have issued a joint statement saying that it is clear Iran is responsible for the September 14 attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities.

The statement comes after French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met during the annual United Nations gathering of world leaders.

The three governments said: 'It is clear for us that Iran bears responsibility for this attack. There is no other explanation.

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More News On European Powers Blaming Iran For Saudi Oil Attack

European powers back U.S. in blaming Iran for Saudi oil attack, urge broader talks -- Reuters
Britain, France, Germany blame Iran for attacks on key oil facilities in Saudi Arabia -- FOX News
European Leaders Join U.S. in Blaming Iran for Saudi Oil Attacks, Urge New Deal -- The Wall Street Journal
France, Germany, and UK say Iran is responsible for attacks on Saudi Arabia -- VOX

EU-Initiated Payment System That Circumvents U.S. Sanctions With Iran Completes First Transactions

Xinhuanet: EU-initiated payment system with Iran completes first transactions, full-mode operation on its way

VIENNA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- The European Union(EU)-initiated payment system with Iran has seen the completion of its first transactions and is expected to be officially launched after related procedures are aligned, a Russian official said after a joint commission of the Iranian nuclear deal meeting in Vienna on Sunday.

The system, formally known as the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), "is operating in a pilot mode. In order to make it operate in full mode some bureaucratic procedures between the INSTEX and the Iranian structure similar to INSTEX need to be finished," Russia Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov was quoted by Sputnik news agency as saying.

It was announced in January that the INSTEX, the European Union (EU)'s payment system to facilitate trade with Iran to get around U.S. sanctions, would secure trade with Iran and skirt U.S. anti-Iran sanctions after Washington pulled out of the 2015 landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018.

Following a meeting of the joint commission of the Iranian nuclear deal in June, the mechanism became operational and available to all EU member states.

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WNU Editor: EU companies will still be exposed to U.S. sanctions, but this new payment system will help those who want to do business with Iran. Here is a good description on how this payment mechanism is going to work .... How Instex, Europe's Trade Channel With Iran, Will Work (NPR).

Update: Russia now wants to join this EU system to circumvent U.S. sanctions .... Russia wants in on INSTEX (Al Jazeera).

U.K. Says Europe-Led Mission Will Protect Gulf Shipping After Iranian Seizure Of Tanker

Daily Mail: First pictures INSIDE the British tanker captured by Iran: Tehran taunts the UK by releasing photo of terrified crew huddled on board vessel after it was seized by Revolutionary Guard gunmen

* British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero was seized by Iran on Friday as it sailed through the Strait of Hormuz
* First image taken inside vessel shows part of its 23-strong crew being held by Iranian Revolutionary Guards
* Video also shows Iranians talking to the crew around a table, and thanking them for their cooperation
* Tehran seized the tanker after Iranian-flagged vessel was stopped by marines off Gibraltar earlier this month
* Downing Street today said UK 'does not seek confrontation with Iran' but described the move as 'escalatory'
* Russia threw its backing behind ally Iran on Monday, saying its position 'is much more convincing' than UK
* Tehran also said it had arrested 17 suspected CIA spies and will put some to death, further increasing tensions

Iran today paraded the crew of a British-flagged tanker that it captured in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday.

Tehran released video of some of the 23-strong crew of the Stena Impero sitting around a table speaking with one of their captors, alongside fresh images showing Revolutionary Guardsmen on board the Swedish-owned vessel.

The video shows seven of the crew wearing red jumpsuits and sitting around a table, as one Iranian guard can be heard thanking them for their cooperation. The cameraman can also be heard telling them not to look at him. Another video shows the crew laughing while standing around a coffee machine, and the ship's cooks preparing food in an apparent attempt to show they are being treated well.

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More News On The U.K. - Iran Oil Tanker Crisis

Europe-led mission will protect Gulf shipping after Iranian seizure of tanker, U.K. says -- CBC/AP
Britain to seek European maritime mission to counter Iran's 'piracy' -- Reuters
Britain blasts Iran seizure of tanker as act of 'state piracy' -- France 24
Iran tanker seizure: Hunt seeks European help on Gulf shipping -- BBC
UK to launch European security mission over Iran row -- DW
Britain planning maritime mission to protect Strait of Hormuz -- UPI
UK tells Iran to release seized oil tanker and crew immediately -- Al Jazeera
Ships urged to alert navies before sailing through Strait of Hormuz -- Reuters
Britain weighs response to Iran Gulf crisis with few good options -- Reuters

EU Consulting Signatories To The Iran Nuclear Deal On What to Do Next

The European Union says it is in contact with signatories of the Iran nuclear pact (JCPOA) and will discuss the matter with them after Tehran warned it would take new steps regarding the deal if the EU fails to meet its pledges.

MEHR News Agency: EU consults JCPOA signatories as Iran warns of new steps

A spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini — a guarantor of the 2015 pact — broke the news on Thursday, saying that "we've called on Iran to reverse these steps and to refrain from further measures that would undermine the nuclear agreement," Associated Press reported.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran’s Arak heavy water nuclear reactor – which was agreed to be redesigned under a 2015 nuclear agreement – will resume its previous activities after July 7 if the other signatories to the deal fail to uphold their end of the bargain.

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Update #1: EU consults nuclear deal partners as Iran warns of new steps (AP)
Update #2: France says Iran will gain nothing by breaking with nuclear deal (Reuters)

WNU Editor: The Iranians are not impressed .... Iran mocks EU foreign policy statements (EU Observer).

EU Says It's Mechanism For Trade With Iran Is Now Operational

DW: EU mechanism for trade with Iran 'now operational'

The EU has created a mechanism that will allow European countries to trade with Iran despite US sanctions. The move is an attempt to show good will toward Iran and keep it in the 2015 nuclear deal.

The European Union announced that its INSTEX mechanism to facilitate trade with Iran was up and running on Friday.

"France, Germany, and the United Kingdom informed participants that INSTEX had been made operational and available to all EU member states, and that the first transactions are being processed," said an EU statement.

INSTEX, which stands for Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges, is a payment system that will allow companies to trade with Iran despite harsh US sanctions. It will function as a diplomatic shield allowing the exchange of goods without requiring direct transfers of money between Iran and EU companies.

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Update: EU makes last-ditch effort to keep Iran from leaving nuclear deal (The Guardian)

WNU Editor: The Iranians are not impressed, they cannot sell their oil with this EU mechanism .... Iran says European efforts to salvage nuclear deal are not enough (CNBC).

U.S. Demands EU Allies To Leave Iran Nuclear Deal

DW: Poland, US hold controversial Middle East conference in Warsaw

The US is seeking allies in central and eastern Europe, teaming up with Poland for a Middle East conference in Warsaw. Ahead of the event, expat Iranians protested the regime in Tehran. Monika Sieradzka from Warsaw.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo struck a chord in Poland this week when he said that the US had steered clear of the region for too long, leaving Russia to fill that "void."

Warsaw sees Washington as a guarantor of security in the region. The Polish government is proud to have purchased 20 US-made HIMARS rocket launchers — a deal that was struck just before the start of the conference.

As the contract was signed — in the presence of Polish and US soldiers — the US vice president, Mike Pence, assured Warsaw the US would "stand behind Poland."

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Update: Pence urges EU to pull out of nuclear deal, says Iran planning ‘new Holocaust’ (Times of Israel)

WNU Editor: When it comes to Iran most EU governments have a different agenda .... America Wants to Talk About Iran, But Europe Doesn’t (Bloomberg).

EU Pleads With Iran To Stop Its Missile Tests And Assassination Plots On European Soil

DW: EU to Iran: Stop missile tests, assassination attempts on European soil

The European Union has struck out at Iran over its missile program and "unacceptable behavior" in Europe and the Middle East. Tehran has rejected the concerns as "baseless" and "non-constructive."

The European Union on Monday urged Iran to put an "immediate end" to "unacceptable behavior," including refraining from any further ballistic missiles tests or attempts to assassinate Iranian dissidents on European soil.

The warning, which prompted a terse response from Tehran, has come amid pressure from the United States to counter growing Iranian influence in Europe and the Middle East.

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Update: EU backs Iran trading system but warns on Syria, missiles (AFP)

WNU Editor: Iran has told the EU to "pound sand" .... Iran Slams EU Accusations of "Assassination Attempts, Terrorist Plots in Europe" (Sputnik). More here .... Tehran bats away EU criticism of Iranian missile tests (Reuters).

Europe Works To Bypass U.S. Sanctions Against Iran

The Guardian: European 'clearing house' to bypass US sanctions against Iran

France or Germany possible hosts for SPV as EU looks to reward Tehran for nuclear deal

A special clearing house designed to allow European companies that trade with Iran to bypass newly reimposed US sanctions will be set up in Europe within months, possibly in France or Germany.

The clearing house, known as a special purpose vehicle (SPV), is seen as critical to reassuring Tehran that the EU genuinely wishes to reward Iran for signing the 2015 deal on its nuclear programme by expanding business with the country.

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WNU Editor: The problem is that no one wants to host this "clearing house" to bypass U.S. sanctions .... EU struggles to find host for Iran trade mechanism (Reuters). What I also find troubling is that the Europeans are doing this after Iran has been accussed of plotting terror attacks against Iranian dissidents in Europe .... Europe Contemplating New Sanctions Against Iran After Terror Plots Uncovered In Denmark And Paris (November 4, 2018).

Europe Contemplating New Sanctions Against Iran After Terror Plots Uncovered In Denmark And Paris

I appreciate the support from my colleague @Theresa_May today. In close collaboration with UK and other countries we will stand up to Iran #dkpol pic.twitter.com/qfqFLf5tWP

— Lars Løkke Rasmussen (@larsloekke) October 30, 2018

FOX News: Europe opens door to sanctions on Iran after terror plots in Denmark, Paris

European leaders are opening the door to possible sanctions on Iran in the wake of terror plots across the continent -- even as they criticize the Trump administration for reimposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic’s oil exports and financial dealings.

Denmark’s intelligence agency on Tuesday said that it had foiled an Iranian plot to kill an opposition activist, and had arrested a Norwegian of Iranian descent. The suspect has denied the allegations and is being held in custody. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denied any involvement and has issued a “strong protest” to the Danish government.

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WNU Editor: In a normal situation Europe would be expelling Iranian diplomats and closing their diplomatic offices. But we are not living in normal times, and I predict that If Europe does levy sanctions, they will be minor and inconsequential.

Germany Proposes EU Payment System With Iran To Avoid U.S. Sanctions And To Save The Nuclear Deal

Vocal Europe

Reuters: Germany urges EU payment system without U.S. to save Iran deal

BERLIN (Reuters) - Europe needs to set up payment systems independent of the United States if it wants to save the nuclear deal between Iran and major powers that was abandoned by President Donald Trump, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.

“That’s why it is indispensable that we strengthen European autonomy by creating payment channels that are independent of the United States, a European Monetary Fund and an independent SWIFT system,” Maas wrote in the Handelsblatt business daily.

“Every day the deal is alive is better than the highly explosive crisis that would otherwise threaten the Middle East,” he added in the article to be published on Wednesday.

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Update #1: In Europe, fears loom that the U.S. is seeking regime collapse in Iran (Axios)
Update #2: Swift turn: German FM says Europe needs bank transactions system independent from US (RT)

WNU Editor: This Bloomberg editorial is on the money.Tthat instead of holding out false hope, EU leaders should start working on a new agreement .... Europe Should Stop Trying to Save the Iran Deal (Bloomberg Editorial).

Update #3: This VICE report is probably right. Even though the Iranian government is blaming the U.S. for the country's economic problems, the people on the street have a different point of view .... We took a ride in Iran’s Uber to see how Trump’s new sanctions are really playing out (VICE News).

U.S. Secretary Of State Pompeo: Iran Carrying Out 'Assassination Operations' In Europe

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks on the Trump administration's Iran policy at the Heritage Foundation in Washington. Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

The Guardian: Mike Pompeo claims Iran carrying out 'assassination operations' in Europe

The statement bewildered security experts and Iranian exiles, who say they are not aware of any evidence for the allegation.

Mike Pompeo’s claim that the Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is carrying out “assassination operations in the heart of Europe” has bewildered security experts and Iranian exiles, who say they are not aware of any evidence for the allegation.

The new US secretary of state referred to the alleged assassinations in his first major speech on Monday, but devoted just a single line to it amid a litany of criticisms of Iranian behaviour, giving no further details.

“Today, the Iranian Quds Force conducts covert assassination operations in the heart of Europe,” Pompeo said, referring to the external operations arm of the Islamic revolutionary guards corps (IRGC).

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Update #1: Mike Pompeo Says Iran Is Carrying Out “Assassination Operations” in Europe. What Is He Talking About? (Joshua Keating, Slate)
Update #2: Pompeo Says Iran Conducts Assassinations in Europe, Bewilders Experts, Exiles (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: The State Department has not responded to inquiries from reporters demanding a clarification. So did Secretary Pompeo reveal something that he learned when he was CIA Director and it is classified .... or was he referring to stories like this .... 'Iranian spies' targeted in German police searches (BBC) .... it looks like we are not going to find out.

Iran, France, Germany And The United Kingdom Have Agreed On A Plan To Keep The Nuclear Deal Alive

Al Jazeera: EU launches nine-point economic plan to rescue Iran nuclear deal

European partners continue to view nuclear deal vital to shared security, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, along with Iran's foreign minister, have agreed on a nine-point economic plan to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive.

Meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, the ministers rushed to discuss alternative solutions after US President Donald Trump on May 8 withdrew from the deal and vowed to impose tough economic sanctions against Tehran.

"There was awareness of the urgency," Federica Mogherini, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said after the meeting.

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Update #1: EU Readies Measures to Protect Firms From US Sanctions on Iran (Bloomberg)
Update #2: US allies fret about losing Iran business (The Hill)

WNU Editor: These EU - Iranian efforts are not working .... France's Total warns of Iran exit as EU leaders seek to save economic ties (Reuters).

Europe Tries To Save The Iran Nuclear Deal

New York Times: Allies at Cross-Purposes: Trump Puts Europe Into Damage-Control Mode

BRUSSELS — After a series of decisions by President Trump that have split the trans-Atlantic alliance, European foreign ministers have begun a scramble to contain the fallout to their own interests, global institutions and stability in the Middle East.

But even the initial steps of Europe’s effort to devise a separate strategy and save the nuclear accord with Iran showed that the allies might now be working at cross-purposes with the United States, further straining years of international consensus.

That was demonstrated on Tuesday, as European foreign ministers met in Brussels with their Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, to try to preserve the deal that constrained Iran’s nuclear program. Mr. Trump pulled out of the deal last week, calling it a “disaster.”

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WNU Editor: A small confession .... the cynic in me believes this .... European Opposition to Cancelled Iran Deal Spurred by Big Business and Corruption (Epoch Times)

More News On Europe Trying To Save The Iran Nuclear Deal

The Latest: Europe, Iran diplomats plan to save nuclear deal -- AP
Iran's Zarif says 'good start' after talks with EU powers -- Reuters
Europe, Iran say push to save nuclear deal off to good start -- AP
Europe offers no guarantees but vows to keep Iran deal alive -- Reuters
Iran FM hails 'good start' in talks with EU to save nuclear deal -- AFP
European, Iranian officials meet to discuss nuclear deal without US -- The Hill
EU tells Iran it will try to protect firms from US sanctions -- The Guardian
EU 'seeking quick solution to save Iran nuclear deal' -- France 24
Europe adopts defiant stance in attempt to save Iran nuclear deal -- Washington Post

Europe Moves To Protect Billions In Trade With Iran

Reuters: Europe moves to safeguard interests in Iran after U.S. pullout

BERLIN/PARIS (Reuters) - Europe’s largest economies lobbied to protect their companies’ investments in Iran on Friday, seeking to keep the nuclear deal with Tehran alive after Washington pulled out and threatened to impose sanctions on European companies.

Germany and France have significant trade links with Iran and remain committed to the nuclear agreement, as does Britain, and the three countries’ foreign ministers plan to meet on Tuesday to discuss it.

That is part of a flurry of diplomatic activity following Tuesday’s unilateral withdrawal from what U.S. President Donald Trump called “a horrible, one-sided deal”, a move accompanied by the threat of penalties against any foreign firms doing business in Iran.

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WNU Editor: It is always abut the money. There will be an EU meeting with the Iranian foreign minister on Tuesday .... Iran minister to meet Europeans in Brussels on Tuesday: EU (Gulf Times/AFP). More here .... EU foreign policy chief calls Iran meeting with Britain, France, Germany (Politico).

More News On Europe Efforts To Protect Its Economic Interests With Iran

Iran nuclear deal: The EU's billion-dollar deals at risk -- BBC
European Officials Look to Blunt Impact of Renewed US Sanctions on Iran -- Wall Street Journal
US faces European backlash against Iran sanctions. -- The Guardian
German, French, UK foreign ministers to meet over Iran deal: EU. -- DW
Iran nuclear deal: France condemns US move to re-impose sanctions. -- BBC
Germany seeks Russian support after Donald Trump's Iran decision. -- DW
Europe is threatening to fight Trump on Iran sanctions -- VOX