EU Avoids Imposing New Sanctions

The European Union failed to agree new sanctions against Iran on Monday amid Italy’s opposition and fears that punishing Tehran for its missile program and regional role would not stop US President Donald Trump from abandoning Iran’s nuclear deal.
Speaking on the sidelines of EU foreign ministers’ discussions in Luxembourg, some diplomats said the outcome meant the EU might not make the US president’s May 12 deadline to “fix” the 2015 nuclear accord, Reuters reported.
The EU is eager to safeguard the pact, under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program for at least a decade, but Trump has been a fierce critic.
He has threatened not to extend US sanctions relief on Iran related to the agreement which sees the West mostly lifting extensive sanctions in exchange for the Islamic republic curbing its nuclear program.