AP � The European Union and Iran are affirming their support for the international nuclear deal and say they aim to keep it alive despite U.S. President Donald Trump�s decision to abandon the landmark pact.

Ahead of EU-Iran talks on civil nuclear cooperation in Brussels Monday, EU Energy Commissioner Arias Canete said the deal is �crucial for the security of Europe, of the region and the entire world.�

He said the agreement curbing Iran�s nuclear ambitions is working and that �we do not see any credible peaceful alternative.�

Iranian Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi said: �I hope that we can enjoy the niceties of this deal and not let it go unfulfilled.�

Should the deal break down, he said, it would be �very ominous, the situation would be unpredictable.�