Skirting U.S. sanctions, Europe sets up transactions channel with Iran

Berlin, February 1: Germany, France and the UK have set up a payment channel with Iran called INSTEX, to help continue trade and circumvent US sanctions.

 

Brussels hopes the long-awaited special payment system will help save the Iran nuclear deal by allowing Tehran to keep trading with EU companies despite Washington reimposing sanctions after US President Donald Trump abruptly quit the accord last year.

The three countries have launched the device at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Bucharest. While, the new institution, called INSTEX is a project of the three governments, it will receive the formal endorsement of all 28 EU members.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed the move. Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi also welcomed the step as a first step by the EU in fulfilling its commitments toward Iran.

Washington’s major European allies opposed last year’s decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to abandon the 2015 deal, under which international sanctions on Iran were lifted in return for Tehran accepting curbs on its nuclear programme.

Iran has threatened to pull out of the deal unless the European powers enable it to receive economic benefits. The Europeans have promised to help companies do business with Iran as long as it abides by the deal.