Iranian FM: E3 group promises to pressure US over sanctions removal

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has revealed that the E3 group, consisting of the UK, Germany, and France, promised to exert pressure on the US regarding the removal of anti-Iranian sanctions. 

"We are negotiating with the three European countries to reach the same formula as we had with the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] and to strengthen trust in the nuclear programme, so that they [Western countries] will lift the sanctions," Araghchi stated, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Araghchi emphasised that these sanctions are under the control of the US, not the Europeans. 

The Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that the Europeans would uphold their promise to challenge the US on this matter. On March 20, the US expanded its sanctions against 14 individuals and entities from Iran, including organizations registered in Panama, China, the Seychelles, and the Virgin Islands. 

Earlier, on March 13, 13 ships flying the flags of Iran, Panama, Cameroon, and other nations were also hit with sanctions. In response to the ongoing sanctions, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated that Russia views the sanctions imposed on Iran as illegal. Peskov also noted that Russia is actively working to find peaceful solutions to address the issue.

By Naila Huseynova