The nuclear deal was the way out for Iran to end its economic isolation. The Persian Gulf would be safer with a nuclear deal not without it. The European continent can play an important role in protecting this deal and ensuring its continuation. IAEA has repeatedly verified Iran as being in complete compliance with the nuclear deal in its true spirit and keeping the Uranium enrichment in check as per the set limit (3.67 per cent) according to the multilateral agreement between Tehran and the P5. The European countries, essentially Britain, France and Germany, have good relations with Washington and should use their cloud of influence, which could play an essential role in diffusing the situation between Tehran and the US. As they spearheaded the process that led to an agreement called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in July 2015, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel can convince the US to use diplomacy as a modus operandi and work on rounds of negotiations to mould the assertive and antagonized Iran by remaining in the deal rather than being out of it. The European countries should play an active role in the de-escalation of the issue as it would not only impact Iran but the larger Middle East. If Europe doesn’t play a balancing role at the forefront, this will result in the decline of its prestige and legacy, which has been gradually diminishing since 2000. The space in the region shall give space to other players interested in regional politics including forceful China and resurging Russia. Both are rising powers in the region and want to gain influence over the Strait of Hormuz, through which 40 to 45 per cent of the oil passes. Europe needs to keep these countries in check as it uses the same corridor for its oil needs. It needs to ensure free and uninfluenced space in its favour. With the situation fast escalating, the Shia/Sunni divide, the proxy war and kicking Iran out of the nuclear deal would lead to uncontrolled circumstances in the region. This would expedite Iran’s economic and military support to the rebels–Hamas, Hizbullah and Bashar-ul-Asad–that would further aggravate the political divide and chaos in the Middle East, leading to an eventual influx of refugees into Europe: an underlying cause of BREXIT. The Trump administration seems keen on using its “maximum pressure” mantra as the president seems reluctant to take forward what the Obama administration started. He apparently fears that if the deal materialises, it would add another star to the belt of Obama’s foreign policy legacy and the credit would go to Democrats, rather than Republicans, for bringing Iran’s behaviour in check. The recent tweet made by Trump indicates he wishes to make a pre-emptive strike on Iran as it did in Iraq in 2003. It had jumped in claiming that Iraq had been stockpiling weapons of mass destruction. This was later proved to be otherwise in Chilcot report on Iraq that stated there was no imminent threat from the then Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and his government. Another reason to do away the deal could be the elections that are to be held in 2020 where Trump needs an excuse and achievement to get back in the oval office for his next term. This was also done by the recently elected Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, who used Pulwama and Balakot Strikes as a confirmed ticket to his second term by securing the majority opinion on his side. The US also wants to please its two eminent partners in the region, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Coupled with other factors, it could well harm the regional peace and stability as the sporadic crisis in the Gulf intensifies with attacks on oil tankers, the shoot down of the US drone; accentuating fears of regional instability. The hawkish voices in the Trump administration want to create economic terrorism with skyrocketing inflation; higher costs for imports; scarcity of available goods (including food and medicine) and increasing unemployment. This would act as a catalyst to regime change as people would take to streets. With the hefty sanctions imposed on the hurting economy, Iran would be unable to sustain economically, which shall be welcomed by the Republicans in the US. On the other side, Iran has already issued a 60-days ultimatum that it would speed up its uranium enrichment and has also exceeded the set limit from 3.67 per cent to 4.5 per cent. This is still quite low to make a bomb but above the limit set by the deal. Iran has been reluctant in negotiating a new deal with the US as it wants to curb Iran’s ballistic missile programme and restrict its further development, which would make Iran vulnerable to the attack by Saudi Arabia and Israel in the region. With its slugging economy, Iran needs to be relieved of the sanctions and pressures. It needs to trade the key sectors of its economy including oil and metals to sustain itself as the pull-out has inflicted undue economic pain. The nuclear deal was the way out for Iran to end its economic isolation. Rather than revoking the nuclear deal, the US should continue with it since if Iran is kicked out, Saudi Arabia might also be tempted to emulate and engage in a regional nuclear arms race. Trump’s withdrawal would also harm the transatlantic solidarity; creating disregard for European foreign policy. This would convey the message that international obligations could be disposed of at will. The European countries need to use their effect before the track to avert disasters and make the US understand the nuclear deal between Tehran and Washington could reshape and reform assertive Iranian military policy towards supporting anti-American governments in the Middle East. They also need to make the US apprehend that the deal would lay the groundwork for détente, lead to regional initiatives and create opportunities for intraregional dialogues on security architecture for the Gulf. On the other hand, Iran also needs to stabilise itself. It should reduce its economic and military support being given to the rebels in Lebanon, Syria and Palestine, detach itself from the anti-American camp and get itself on a better footing with the powerful European countries and the US. The US also needs to cease its gun-board diplomacy and opt for constructive realism (strategic diplomacy) as the formula to diffuse escalation of the issue that poses an imminent threat to regional peace and security. Being a neighbour to Iran and a tactical partner of the US in the Afghan peace process, Pakistan could also play an effective role as a facilitator. It could make the US realise that regional instability would translate into already troubled Afghanistan and cause a delay in its exit from Afghanistan as it desperately wishes to do as soon as possible. The writer is a freelance columnist based in Karachi