Europe's major powers have welcomed the prospect of an end to fighting between the United States and Iran, and said they would be willing to help keep the peace, and lift sanctions placed on Tehran — as long as certain conditions are met.
France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom — which are known collectively in diplomatic circles as the E4 — said on Sunday that they expect to be willing to lift sanctions, as long as it does not mean Iran will be able to produce a nuclear weapon.
"Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon," they said in a statement. "We stand ready to work with the US, Iran, and the IAEA to this end."
The IAEA, or International Atomic Energy Agency, is the world's largest intergovernmental forum dedicated to nuclear issues and frequently serves as an independent monitor of nations' nuclear capabilities.
The E4 nations said the deal, which is expected to be signed on Friday by the US and Iran, offered "a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilize the global economy". And they said they would be "prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear program".
