The E.U. held an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the Middle East and U.S.-Iran tensions. 

Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump called for other nations to back out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. 

Some of them met in Brussels to decide their next steps. 

What are these countries hoping to gain from this meeting and what role will Europe play in tensions between the Middle East and the U.S.?

Remi Piet, a research associate on political economy and foreign policy at Florida International University, has some answers.

The U.S. kills a top Iranian general. Iran retaliates by attacking Iraqi military bases where U.S. soldiers are stationed. 

In an address to the nation, U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran “appears to be standing down” after the attacks in Iraq.

Were the two countries really on the precipice of war? 

Iran says it won’t abide by the nuclear deal anymore.

Given the hostilities, is the tattered agreement dead? Is there a possibility for all sides to come back?

Piet says the coming weeks will be key toward determining what happens next between Iran and the U.S.

The 2020 U.S. presidential election will also play a role.