Britain, France and Germany have joined forces - once again - to urge the United States to exempt European companies from any sanctions the US will slap on Iran after it pulled out of the international nuclear agreement. Mariam Zaidi has more from Brussels.

MARIAM ZAIDI BRUSSELS "A joint letter issued on Wednesday by Ministers of France, Germany and the UK has demanded exemptions from any US sanctions on Iran.

On May 8th when US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action – the deal with Iran to stop it developing nuclear weapons in exchange for the relaxation of economic sanctions - the US President did so, threatening to impose retaliatory sanctions on any country that helps Iran. This would heavily impact any European companies doing business there. Out of the big airline, energy companies to banks and pharmaceuticals, we're already seeing some opting to leave. The French car manufacturer of Peugeot and Citroen cars is the latest to pull-out from Iran.

But as European countries look to salvage the deal, Iran plans to boost its uranium enrichment. But the EU continues to stand by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. On Tuesday the EU Commission said such action did not violate (at first glance) – the nuclear deal. The EU Commission added that they would continue to respect the deal until such a time that Iran doesn't. Mariam Zaidi, CGTN, Brussels."