Macron on Iran Nuke Deal: We Need to Do Everything to Preserve JCPOA

On Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani informed the remaining parties to the nuclear deal about the Islamic Republic's decision to partially discontinue obligations under the accord. He gave Europe 60 days to ensure Iran's interests under the agreement. Otherwise, he said, Tehran is ready to take further steps on scrapping the deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron has underscored France's committment to the Iranian nuclear deal, saying that Paris advocates preserving the JCPOA.

"From the very beginning, France strongly supports the agreement we signed. This agreement is not enough, we would like to supplement it, taking into account Iran's missile program and its activities in the region. France's desire is to preserve this basis of the JCPOA, this 2015 agreement. Iran must remain in the agreement, and we must do everything so that it remains in it," Macron stated.

Macron added that the issue of the nuclear treaty will be raised on Thursday at the EU summit.    

"We will undoubtedly have the opportunity to discuss it now," Macron told reporters.    

The President also reiterated France's willingness to supplement the deal, taking into account Iran's missile program. 

Macron urged all the concerned parties to avoid escalation in the Iran nuclear crisis.      

Earlier in the day, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, as well as the foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement voicing deep concern over Tehran's decision to partially discontinue obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal, reaffirming their full commitment to the accord.  

"We note with great concern the statement made by Iran concerning its commitments under the JCPoA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). We remain fully committed to the preservation and full implementation of the JCPOA, a key achievement of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, which is in the security interest of all," the statement read.  

On Wednesday, Iran announced its decision to partially discontinue its 2015 nuclear commitments a year after the US unilaterally left the accord. Tehran also warned that it might enrich its uranium stockpile closer to weapons-grade levels in 60 days if world powers fail to negotiate new terms for the JCPOA.

Reacting to the move, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on Iran, relating to iron, steel, aluminium, and copper.    

READ MORE: 'Nothing Worse': World Powers 'Concerned' as Iran Nuke Deal on Verge of COLLAPSE

A Brussels diplomatic source told Sputnik that Washington was pushing Iran to "make a mistake and violate its obligations" under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

In its turn, Moscow underscored that Iran's decision to scale back on some of its obligations under the nuclear deal were prompted by US moves against the country. Russia announced that it would be holding discussions with its European partners on ways to preserve the JCPOA from falling apart.