Jeremy Hunt [!], the [NEW!] foreign secretary, signed a joint statement with other EU foreign ministers to ensure European companies doing business with Iran will be protected.

Mr Hunt signed the statement along with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers Jean-Yves Le Drian of France and Heiko Maas of Germany.

"Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPOA. This agreement remains important for our shared security.

"We recall that the JCPOA was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. This resolution remains the binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute about the Iranian nuclear programme.

"We urge all sides to remain committed to its full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility."