On May 8 US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear agreement (JCPOA) with Iran. Europe is now faced with the difficult task of safeguarding the agreement, not only as a key non-proliferation arrangement, but also as a platform on which to work with Iran to reduce tensions and prevent further destabilization in the region.

US President Donald Trump is determined to condition America’s continued participation in the nuclear deal on Europe’s agreeing to exert further pressure on Iran by unilaterally changing the terms of the deal. Should Europe go along with his demands? For all its imperfections, the nuclear deal serves Europe’s interest in the upholding of the non-proliferation regime and preventing the Middle East from descending into further instability.