In a joint statement, the European guarantors of the Iran nuclear accord, including EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers of E3, Jean-Yves Le Drian of France, Heiko Maas of Germany, Jeremy Hunt of the UK, expressed deep regret over the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, and stressed their firm resolve to keep financial channels with Iran open.

“The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian programme remains exclusively peaceful, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 11 consecutive reports,” reads the statement. “It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world.”

“The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the deal – it aims at having a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of the Iranian people,” the statement continues.

The European guarantors of JCPOA also voiced resolve to “protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran, in accordance with EU law and with UN Security Council resolution 2231.”

“The remaining parties to the JCPOA have committed to work on, inter alia, the preservation and maintenance of effective financial channels with Iran, and the continuation of Iran’s export of oil and gas. On these, as on other topics, our work continues, including with third countries interested in supporting the JCPOA and maintaining economic relations with Iran. These efforts will be intensified and reviewed at Ministerial level in the coming weeks,” reads the statement.

“Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security,” the statement concludes.