Europe backs Iran nuclear deal in signal to US Congress

The European Union approved the Iran nuclear deal with world powers on Monday, a first step towards lifting Europes economic sanctions against Tehran that the bloc hopes will send a signal that the US Congress will follow.In a message mainly aimed at sceptical voices in the US 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 wont 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 UN Security Council vote scheduled for 13:00 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.

 

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