Nuclear deal not sufficient to curb Iran ambitions, says Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, standing alongside US President Donald Trump at the White House, said today that the existing international nuclear deal with Iran is not enough to curb the Islamic republic's ambitions in the region.


The so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed by Tehran and six world powers including Germany and the United States, is "a first step that has contributed to slowing down their activities in this particular respect," Ms Merkel told reporters.

"But we also think from a German perspective that this is not sufficient in order to see to it that Iran's ambitions are curbed and contained."

"Europe and the United States ought to be in lock step on this," she said.

Ms Merkel and Mr Trump put on a display of warmth and friendship during a White House meeting earlier today despite differences over trade and Iran that have sparked tensions between the two allies.

After their last White House meeting drew attention when the two leaders did not shake hands in the Oval Office, Mr Trump made a point of doing just that, twice, while congratulating the German chancellor on her election win.
 (RTE)
 27/4/18