World powers other than the United States have agreed to back Iran oil exports despite threat of sanctions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif praised the remaining countries for not giving in to U.S. pressure.
The “Will to Resist”
Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif praised its remaining partners in the Iran nuclear deal for their “will to resist” in the face of U.S. sanctions threats. United States President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 deal. Now, the other world powers that signed the deal agreed to continue to back Iran oil as a part of the global economy.
All countries other than the United States have agreed to keep to the agreement they made in 2015. At the end of last week, Great Britain, Germany and France joined Russia and China in a meeting with Iran in Vienna. The Austrian capital city was the site where those countries and the United States originally signed the accord. The world powers offered assurances and economic benefits that would ease the blow of Trump’s widespread sanctions.
Committed to the Accord
The countries assured Iran that they remained committed to the accord to which they have been in agreement over the last three years. Moreover, they stated their intentions to boost trade and investment connections with Iran. This included “the continuation of Iran’s export of oil and gas” as well as other energy products.
“All the members, even the three allies, have committed and have the political will to take action and resist the United States,” said Zarif when speaking at a news conference in Vienna following the meeting. “This is the first time they have shown this level of commitment, but we will have to see in the future what they really want to do and what they can do.”
Zarif also went on to add that “If they continue to demonstrate the political will they showed today, they will get things done without any problem.”
“A Baseless Fantasy”
Ahead of the meeting, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that the U.S. effort to slash Iranian oil production down to nothing was “a baseless fantasy.” He accused the United states of trying to push “imperialist policy in flagrant violation of international law.”
On Friday, the foreign ministers that met in Vienna came together with an 11-point list of joint goals. That statement re-confirmed the commitment of each of the original countries except for the United States. It also indicated “economic dividends” for Iran, which has faced growing financial and economic challenges since Trump walked out on the deal.
Tensions on the Water
Despite the efforts of the remaining partners and the list of goals to which they agreed, tensions remain high between Iran and the United States. The U.S. Navy is now standing ready to make certain that oil ships will be able to travel freely through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has stated their intentions to block shipments through the strait. The intention is to disrupt oil shipments leaving Gulf countries on their way to the U.S. if Washington attempts to harm Iranian exports.
According to Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, the new nuclear deal did not extend far enough. The head of the Revolutionary Guards has praised its president’s “firm stance” against the United States.