EU Seeks to Deescalate Gulf Tensions   07/15 06:19

   European Union nations were looking to deescalate tensions in the Persian 
Gulf area on Monday and call on Iran to stick to the 2015 nuclear deal, despite 
the pullout of the United States from the accord and the re-imposition of U.S. 
sanctions on Tehran.

   BRUSSELS (AP) -- European Union nations were looking to deescalate tensions 
in the Persian Gulf area on Monday and call on Iran to stick to the 2015 
nuclear deal, despite the pullout of the United States from the accord and the 
re-imposition of U.S. sanctions on Tehran.

   Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok said that "it is still not too late, but 
Iran really has to stick to its obligations."

   Iran recently begun surpassing uranium enrichment limits set in its 2015 
nuclear deal, saying these moves can be reversed if the other parties to the 
agreement --- Germany, France, Britain, China, Russia and the European Union 
--- come up with enough economic incentives to effectively offset the U.S. 
sanctions.

   But EU foreign ministers first and foremost want to get Iran to respect the 
terms of the deal again.

   "All these gestures are really raising doubt about intensions" of Tehran, 
said Linas Linkevicius, the foreign minister of  Lithuania.

   British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was essential to keep all 
diplomatic channels open.

   "The Middle East is already one of the most unstable regions in the world, 
but if the different parties were armed with nuclear weapons it would represent 
an existential threat to mankind," Hunt said.

   The leaders of the UK, France and Germany, signatories to the nuclear deal, 
called for an end to escalation of tensions in the region.

   At their regular monthly meeting, the EU foreign minister will also look to 
drum up further support for the bloc's barter-type system to trade with Tehran 
and get around possible U.S. sanctions. Ten nations are already on board with 
the idea.

   Iran has said it needs improved economic ties with Europe since the United 
States has re-imposed harsh sanctions on Tehran's oil exports, exacerbating an 
economic crisis that has sent its currency plummeting.

   Tehran said Sunday it is ready to negotiate with the United States if 
Washington lifts its punishing economic tensions.

   President Hassan Rouhani's official website quoted him as saying, "The 
moment you stop sanctions and bullying, we are ready to negotiate."

   And the day before, Britain's top diplomat said the U.K. will facilitate the 
release of a seized Iranian tanker if Iran can provide guarantees the vessel 
would not breach European sanctions on oil shipments to Syria.

   Hunt's remarks late Saturday could help de-escalate tensions. In apparent 
retaliation for the seized tanker, Iranian paramilitary vessels tried to impede 
the passage of a British oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, only turning 
away after receiving "verbal warnings" from a British navy vessel accompanying 
the ship, the British government said.


(KA)