US-Iran deal is 'opportunity for peace that must be seized' says Meloni

Premier Giorgia Meloni on Monday

welcomed the agreement reached between Washington and Tehran to

end the Iran war.

"Last night, together with France, Germany, and the United

Kingdom, we had already expressed our strong appreciation for

the memorandum of understanding signed by the United States and

Iran hours ago," Meloni said in a statement, referring to a

joint declaration she signed with the leaders of the three other

European powers.

"Heartfelt thanks go to all the mediators, and in particular to

Qatar and Pakistan, who made this agreement possible.

"This is an opportunity for peace that must be seized: Italy, as

in the past, is ready to support the diplomatic process toward a

comprehensive agreement".

In the joint declaration, Rome, London, Paris and Berlin said

the urgent re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz with unconditional

and unrestricted freedom of navigation was "essential".

"We are committed to playing our part to achieve this —in

accordance with our respective constitutional requirements—

including through a strictly defensive and independent mission

to reassure commercial shipping and conduct mine clearance

operations," the declaration said.

It said that Iran "must never acquire a nuclear weapon" while

adding that the four States were "prepared to lift relevant

sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its

nuclear programme".

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