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EU's chief diplomat will visit U.S. to lobby for Iran nuclear deal

"The European Union encourages the United States to maintain its commitment to the [deal]," EU High Representative Federica Mogherini said.

By Sara Shayanian
Frederica Mogherini, high representative of the European Union, will visit the United States in November to try and persuade administration officials not to abandon the Iran nuclear agreement. File photo by Yoan Valat/EPA
Frederica Mogherini, high representative of the European Union, will visit the United States in November to try and persuade administration officials not to abandon the Iran nuclear agreement. File photo by Yoan Valat/EPA

Oct. 16 (UPI) -- The European Union's top diplomat announced Monday that she will visit the United States next month to urge U.S. lawmakers not to abandon the Iran nuclear deal.

In her remarks, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini disputed the Trump administration's insistence that the landmark 2015 agreement is a "bad deal."

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"The European Union underlines that the International Atomic Energy Agency has verified 8 times that Iran is implementing all its nuclear-related commitments following a comprehensive and strict monitoring system," Mogherini said.

Mogherini clarified that the European Union would discourage the United States from removing its support for the deal as it's provided a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran and has benefited the Iranian people.

"The European Union encourages the United States to maintain its commitment to the [deal] and to consider the implications for the security of the United States, its partners, and the region before taking further steps," she said, adding that the pact is a key pillar of nuclear non-proliferation global architecture and crucial for Middle East security.

Mogherini said she would visit the United States in early November.

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Last week, President Donald Trump announced that he would not recertify Iranian compliance with the agreement.

Mogherini said she's spoken to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and planned to continue conversations with Vice President Mike Pence and other administration officials.

Tillerson said in an interview Sunday, in a counter position, saying the nuclear deal is in the best interest of the United States and that the government will stay in the agreement.

Mogherini said no sanctions between Iran and the European Union were discussed because both sides have held up their end of the deal.

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