Iran nuclear deal: Europe strives to keep agreement by Ukpono Etuk

A flurry of diplomatic activity is under way to rescue the Iran nuclear deal after President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from it and bring back sanctions against Tehran.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with President Putin of Russia, and UK PM Theresa May has talked to Mr Trump.

French ministers have been loudest in their complaints that major European businesses will be hit hard as US sanctions are re-imposed.

Mr Trump says the deal is "horrible".

Among his concerns are that it has an expiry date and does not deal with Iran's ballistic missile programme or Iranian influence in the region.

On Tuesday Mr Trump honoured an election pledge to scrap US participation in the 2015 accord. Sanctions will be re-imposed in two stages in August and November.

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