Iran deal has proved its worth despite US claiming otherwise

In contrast to the hardening US position against Iran, the other parties to the Iranian nuclear deal are stepping up their communication in a bid to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made what was described as a visit of "prime importance" to Europe from Monday to Wednesday to gain a more precise picture of cooperation between Iran and Europe ahead of the meeting for the top diplomats from the signatory countries, except of course the United States, convened by Federica Mogherini, the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy.

The Vienna meeting will be the first between the other parties to the deal since the US withdrawal and such intensive diplomacy is essential if the deal is not to fall apart. And it is worth upholding the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the formal name of the deal, as it marks a significant breakthrough in multinational efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Despite US President Donald Trump claiming it was a "bad deal", it established a transparent and stringent process for inspecting Iran's nuclear activities that has proved effective and which has shown it has fully complied with the restrictions imposed on it.