Alwaght- The European Union member states have failed to agree new sanctions against Iran on Monday.
Italy opposed new sanctions against Iran by expressing fear punishing Tehran for its missile program and regional role would not stop US President Donald Trump from abandoning a separate nuclear deal.
Speaking on the sidelines of EU foreign ministers’ discussions in Luxembourg, some diplomats said the outcome meant the EU might not make the US President’s May 12 deadline to “fix” the 2015 nuclear accord.
The EU is eager to safeguard the pact, under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear ambitions for at least a decade, but Trump has been a fierce critic.
Speaking earlier, the EU's foreign policy chief said on Monday that the bloc did not foresee new sanctions against Iran despite an announcement by US President Donald Trump that he would pull out from landmark nuclear deal with Tehran.
“I do not foresee any decision to be taken today on this,” Federica Mogherini told reporters ahead of EU’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg.
“We have already sanctions in place on Iran -- non-nuclear related. I do not expect [foreign] ministers to take decision on this today,” Mogherini added.
Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate Iran National Nuclear Technology Day, President Hassan Rouhani warned US President Donald Trump against a possible pullout from the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.
"If the deal breaks, they will surely regret it. They will witness the fallout in less than a week," Rouhani said.
US sanctions that were lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) of 2015 will resume unless Trump waives them again.
Rouhani said, "Iran will not violate the nuclear deal, but if the United States withdraws from the deal, they will surely regret it. Our response will be stronger than what they imagine and they would see that within a week."
"Whether the JCPOA exists or not, with or without the US, we are prepared for whatever circumstances and have plans [for any eventuality]," he added.
