Senior German diplomat in Tehran for nuclear deal talks

In this Sunday, May 19, 2019 photo, an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter transports cargo from the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during a replenishment-at-sea operation in the Arabian Sea, as Mideast tensions remain high between Tehran and the United States. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Darion Chanelle Triplett/U.S. Navy via AP)

In this Tuesday, May 21, 2019 photo, provided by the U.S. Air Force, a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress, prepares to join up with Qatari Air Force Mirage 2000s and U.S. F-35A Lightning IIs to fly in formation over Southwest Asia to build military-to-military relationships, in an undisclosed location. The B-52H is part of the Bomber Task Force deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to defend American forces and interests in the region. (Senior Airman Keifer Bowes/U.S. Air Force via AP)

A senior German diplomat is in Tehran to press Iran to continue to respect the landmark nuclear deal, despite the unilateral withdrawal of the U.S. and increasing pressure from Washington.

The Foreign Ministry says Political Director Jens Ploetner is meeting with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday.

The visit comes amid mounting tensions in the region. It also follows Iran's declaration earlier this month that the remaining signatories to the deal — Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia — have two months to develop a plan to shield Iran from American sanctions.

The ministry says there's a "window for diplomacy to persuade Iran to continue its full compliance" with the deal and warns "there's a real risk of escalation — including due to misunderstandings or an incident."