Europeans Adhere to Nuclear Deal, Despite US Standpoint

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini addresses a news conference during a European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium, July 20, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Europeans showed adherence to the nuclear deal, considering it is unlikely that the new strategy unveiled by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would succeed.

In a statement, EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini warned that there is "no alternative" to the Iran nuclear deal.

"Secretary Pompeo's speech has not demonstrated how walking away from the JCPOA has made or will make the region safer from the threat of nuclear proliferation or how it puts us in a better position to influence Iran's conduct in areas outside the scope of JCPOA," she said, using the acronym for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the deal is officially known.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson lashed out against US plans of negotiating a new “jumbo” agreement with Iran Monday, saying such a negotiation would be “very, very difficult."

"The advantage of the JCPOA was that it had a very clear objective. It protected the world from an Iranian nuclear bomb, and in return it gave the Iranians some recognizable economic benefits. That was at the core of it. The Americans have walked away from that,” he said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rattled off a 12-point list of what he called “basic requirements” of a new way forward with Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a Foreign Ministry reception in the presence of Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes marking the opening of the country’s embassy in Jerusalem, said that US President Donald Trump has “changed policy in fundamental ways,” not only regarding Jerusalem, but also Iran.

“No enrichment, tough sanctions and Iran should get out of Syria — we believe that it’s only policy that can ultimately guarantee peace. We call on all countries to follow America’s lead here,” Netanyahu added.

He continued, “We believe that is the right policy."

“We believe it is the only policy that can ultimately guarantee the security of the Middle East and bring peace in our region, and we call on all countries to follow America’s lead here, because Iran is an aggressive force.”