France on Wednesday called on Iran to respect all its commitments to the nuclear deal and non-proliferation treaties and warned against an escalation, Reuters reported. France said, cited by Reuters, it was determined to ensure that the accord remained fully implemented and determined to ensure that financial channels and exports remain open.
Tehran announced its decision to partially discontinue its 2015 nuclear deal commitments exactly a year after the US unilaterally left the accord and started unveiling toughest ever sanctions and days after it deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Persian Gulf in a "clear and unmistakable" message to the Islamic Republic.
READ MORE: US Pushing Iran to Violate Nuclear Deal to Declare it a Security Threat – Source
On 8 May 2018, US President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the JCPOA and reinstate wide-ranging sanctions on Iran as well as secondary sanctions against companies and financial institutions of countries that do business with that country. The United States also vowed to drive Iran's oil exports down to zero and demanded that other countries stop any such purchases.
Trump said in a statement on Wednesday that he looks forward to meeting with Iran's leaders to negotiate a new nuclear agreement.
READ MORE: ‘Mostly Psychological Warfare’: US Unlikely to Initiate War With Iran
Trump in a separate executive order also announced on Wednesday new sanctions against Iranian metals like steel, iron, aluminum and copper. In a statement following the move he warned other nations not to import Iranian metals.
READ MORE: 'Nothing Worse': World Powers 'Concerned' as Iran Nuke Deal on Verge of COLLAPSE
