Pakistan stands with China and Russia against US over Iran
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ISLAMABAD *- Pakistan supports China, Russia and Europe’s efforts to save 2015 Iran nuclear deal officially known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), diplomatic sources *have revealed.
A senior official at the foreign ministry told media that Pakistan had assured China, Russia and the European countries that it will back their efforts for the nuclear deal.
The official said, “As a policy we are against the United States decision to walk out of the nuclear deal with Iran. We support any effort to save this agreement. The US disappointed many countries.”
He added, “Pakistan will never change its mind to support the US on the Iran nuclear deal. We are firm in our decision (to back Iran).”
On May 8, President Trump walked out of the agreement calling Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The US president warned that his country would re-impose economic sanctions that were waived when the deal was signed in 2015.
The deal was agreed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia - plus Germany.
It was struck by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama. The other member countries have not yet seconded Trump’s decision. After Trump’s decision, Iran said it would try to salvage the agreement but would restart uranium enrichment if it failed.
Earlier Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohamed Faisal said Pakistan believed that the JCPOA represented a very good example of a negotiated settlement of complex issues, through dialogue and diplomacy.
“We had welcomed the JCPOA when it was concluded and hope that all parties will find a way for its continuation, especially when the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly verified Iran’s compliance,” he said.
Pakistan stand on the Iran nuclear deal comes when it is also challenging the US decision to shift the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Pakistan regretted that despite calls by the international community to comply with UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions on the two-state solution, the US shifted its embassy to Jerusalem.