The European Union approved
the Iran nuclear deal with world powers on Monday, a first step
towards lifting Europe's economic sanctions against Tehran that
the bloc hopes will send a signal that the U.S. Congress will
follow.
In a message mainly aimed at skeptical voices in the U.S.
Congress and strong resistance from Israel, EU foreign ministers
meeting in Brussels stressed that there was no better option
available.
"It is a balanced deal that means Iran won't get an atomic
bomb," said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. "It is a
major political deal."
Ministers left the details of their endorsement until after
a U.N. Security Council vote scheduled for 9 a.m. EDT (1300
GMT), but have formally committed to a gradual lifting of
sanctions along with the United States and the United Nations.
Following the deal in Vienna, Iran has agreed to long-term
curbs on a nuclear program that the West suspected was aimed at
creating an atomic bomb, but which Tehran says is peaceful.
The European Union will retain its ban on the supply of
ballistic missile technology and sanctions related to human
rights, EU diplomats said.
A senior Western official involved in the accord said a
combination of limitations and verification was enough to ensure
Iran would not obtain a nuclear bomb.
"Our ambition is to embed the Iranian civilian nuclear
program into international cooperation," the official said.
The U.S. Congress received the Iran nuclear agreement on
Sunday and will have 60 days from Monday to decide whether to
approve or reject the deal.
Keen to consider Iran as an alternative supplier of energy
at a time of tensions with Russia, the European Union may reopen
an EU delegation in Tehran and is seeking business opportunities
in the country.
"The Iran deal has a geopolitical impact and also an
economic impact on the European Union," said Austria's Foreign
Minister Sebastian Kurz, who plans to visit Iran in September.
German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel flew to Iran at the
weekend, becoming the first senior figure from a large Western
government to visit the country since the deal. France's Fabius
is also due to travel there soon.
French automakers had a strong presence in the Iranian car
industry before Iran's isolation over the nuclear issue, and
Total was active in the oil sector.
REUTERS