ISLAMABAD *- Pakistan supports China, Russia and Europe’s efforts to save2015 Iran nuclear deal officially known as Joint Comprehensive Plan ofAction (JCPOA), diplomatic sources *have revealed.

A senior official at the foreign ministry told media that Pakistan hadassured China, Russia and the European countries that it will back theirefforts for the nuclear deal.

The official said, “As a policy we are against the United States decisionto walk out of the nuclear deal with Iran. We support any effort to savethis agreement. The US disappointed many countries.”

He added, “Pakistan will never change its mind to support the US on theIran nuclear deal. We are firm in our decision (to back Iran).”

On May 8, President Trump walked out of the agreement calling JointComprehensive Plan of Action. The US president warned that his countrywould re-impose economic sanctions that were waived when the deal wassigned in 2015.

The deal was agreed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UNSecurity Council – the US, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia -plus Germany.

It was struck by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama. The other membercountries have not yet seconded Trump’s decision. After Trump’s decision,Iran said it would try to salvage the agreement but would restart uraniumenrichment if it failed.

Earlier Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohamed Faisal saidPakistan believed that the JCPOA represented a very good example of anegotiated settlement of complex issues, through dialogue and diplomacy.

“We had welcomed the JCPOA when it was concluded and hope that all partieswill find a way for its continuation, especially when the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency has repeatedly verified Iran’s compliance,” he said.

Pakistan stand on the Iran nuclear deal comes when it is also challengingthe US decision to shift the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.Pakistan regretted that despite calls by the international community tocomply with UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions on thetwo-state solution, the US shifted its embassy to Jerusalem.