Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, reacted on Tuesday evening to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he was leaving the Iran nuclear deal.

“The European Union regrets today's statement by the President of the United States on the nuclear deal with Iran [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA]. Should the U.S. reconsider this position, we would welcome it,” said Mogherini, who stressed that “the United States remain our closest partner and friend, and we will continue to work together on many other issues. As we have always said, the nuclear deal is not a bilateral agreement and it is not in the hands of any single country to terminate it unilaterally.”

“It has been unanimously endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231. It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, it is relevant in itself, but even more so in these times of encouraging signals on the perspective of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The nuclear deal with Iran is crucial for the security of the region, of Europe and of the entire world,” said Mogherini.

She stressed that the EU will remain in the agreement and will do so “as long as Iran continues to implement its nuclear related commitments, as it is doing so far.”

“We fully trust the work, competence and autonomy of the International Atomic Energy Agency that has published 10 reports certifying that Iran has fully complied with its commitments,” she said.

“The lifting of nuclear related sanctions is an essential part of the agreement. The European Union has repeatedly stressed that the lifting of nuclear related sanctions has not only a positive impact on trade and economic relations with Iran, but also and mainly crucial benefits for the Iranian people. The European Union is fully committed to ensuring that this continues to be delivered on.”

“I am particularly worried by the announcement of new sanctions. I will consult with all our partners in the coming hours and days to assess their implications. The European Union is determined to act in accordance with its security interests and to protect its economic investments.”

“The nuclear deal with Iran is the culmination of 12 years of diplomacy. It belongs to the entire international community. It has been working and it is delivering on its goal, which is guaranteeing that Iran doesn’t develop nuclear weapons. The European Union is determined to preserve it. We expect the rest of the international community to continue to do its part to guarantee that it continues to be fully implemented, for the sake of our own collective security,” said Mogherini.

She urged Iranian citizens and leaders, “Do not let anyone dismantle this agreement. It is one of the biggest achievements diplomacy has ever delivered, and we built this together. It is the demonstration that win win solutions are possible, through dialogue, engagement and perseverance. That common ground can be found, even when positions and interests differ. That respect can be a universal language.”

“This deal belongs to each and every one of us. Stay true to your commitments, as we will stay true to ours. And together, with the rest of the international community, we will preserve the nuclear deal,” concluded Mogherini.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump called the 2015 Iran deal an "embarrassment" that "should never have been reached."

"After the sanctions were lifted, the dictatorship used its new funds to build nuclear capable missiles, support terrorism, and cause havoc throughout the Middle East and beyond," he said.

Trump cited Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's presentation of Iran's nuclear archive last week as proof that Iran cannot be trusted to abide by its commitments under the JCPOA or to abandon its desire to develop nuclear weapons.

"Last week, Israel published intelligence documents long concealed by Iran conclusively showing the Iranian regime and its history of pursuing nuclear weapons," said the President, adding that the U.S. would reinstate sanctions on Iran. "We will be instituting the highest level of nuclear sanctions."

"We will not allow American citizens to be threatened with destruction, and we will not allow a regime that chants 'death to America' to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth," he stressed.