U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his decision to pull the United States out of the nuclear agreement with Iran. In a televised address from the White House’ Diplomatic Room, President Trump termed the deal as “rotten to its core,” while emphasizing that the United States will not sit idly by while the world’s leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world’s most dangerous weapons.
“We have also consulted with our friends from across the Middle East. We are unified in our understanding of the threat and in our conviction that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. After these consultations it is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement. The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing we know exactly what will happen in just a short period of time. The world’s leading state sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world’s most dangerous weapons. Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal,” Trump said.
President Trump further asserted that Washington, together with its international allies, will be working to find a real comprehensive and lasting solution to threats posed by the Islamic Republic on multiple levels. Furthermore, the American leader announced the renewal of sanctions that, among other challenges, would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system.
“As we exit the Iran deal, we will be working with our allies to find a real, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. This will include efforts to eliminate the threat of Iran’s ballistic missile program, to stop its terrorist activities worldwide and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East. In the meantime, powerful sanctions will go into full effect. If the regime continues its nuclear aspirations, it will have bigger problems than it has ever had before,” Trump said.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini responded to Trump’s decision to pull the United States out of the nuclear agreement. The European top diplomat voiced her regrets on the U.S.’ pull out but underlined the fact that the deal is a multinational accord that cannot be terminated by a single country. That is why, Mogherini declared the EU’s position, in which “as long as Iran continues to implement its nuclear-related commitments…” “the European Union will remain committed to the continued, full and effective implementation of the deal.”
“The nuclear deal with Iran is crucial for the security of the region, of Europe and of the entire world. As long as Iran continues to implement its nuclear-related commitments as it is doing so far, the European Union will remain committed to the continued, full and effective implementation of the nuclear deal,”
EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said.
While the European top diplomat emphasized the EU’s determination to act in accordance with its security and economic interests, it voiced concerns on the matter of Washington’s international sanctions, which to the dismay of other members of the international community who seek to preserve the agreement, no country will risk economic dealings with Tehran at the expense of the United States.
“The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the agreement. The European Union has repeatedly stressed that the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions has a positive impact, not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but also and mainly crucial benefits for the Iranian people. The European Union is fully committed to ensuring that this continues to be delivered on. And let me say, I am particularly worried about the announcement tonight of new sanctions. I will consult very closely with all our partners in the coming hours and days to assess their implication. In any case the Europe Union is determined to act in accordance with its security interests and to protect its economic investment,” EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reacted to the U.S. pullout, in what appeared as a statement that was pre-coordinated with the Europeans, declaring the Islamic Republic’s continued commitment to the multinational nuclear agreement.
“I have instructed the foreign ministry to carry out over the next few weeks all necessary discussions and consultations with European nations (signatories to the JCPOA) and two other key countries that is Russia and China and to coordinate issues (with them). If at the conclusion of these talks, which will be held over a short and specific period, we see that we can work with these five countries (minus the United States) on the commitments outlined in the JCPOA that are of benefit to the Iranian nation, then we will remain in the JCPOA agreement despite the wishes to the contrary of the United States and the Zionist regime, their efforts (to undermine the deal) and the inappropriate words tonight from Trump. We will take our steps towards peace and security in the region and the wider world. But if we see that our interests cannot be guaranteed, then I will address the (Iranian) nation and I will inform them of the government’s decisions,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said.
Meanwhile;
Trump’s decision was warmly welcomed in both Israel and Saudi Arabia, among other countries across the region – vowing to assist the Trump Administration to address the threats posed by Iran to global stability, including its ballistic missile program, sponsoring of Shi’ite militant groups and its clear aspiration of acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities.
Meanwhile in Jerusalem;
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Jerusalem’s position, in which it views the nuclear agreement as a deal that paves Iran’s path to nuclear weapons capabilities within a few years’ time.
“Israel fully supports President Trump’s bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran. Israel has opposed the nuclear deal from the start because we said that rather than blocking Iran’s path to bomb, the deal actually paves Iran’s path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs, and this within a few years’ time. The removal of sanctions under the deal has already produced disastrous results. The deal didn’t push war further away, it actually brought it closer. The deal didn’t reduce Iran’s aggression, it dramatically increased it. And we see this across the entire Middle East. Since the deal, we have seen Iran’s aggression grow every day — in Iraq, in Lebanon, in Yemen, in Gaza, and most of all in Syria where Iran is trying to establish military bases from which to attack Israel,” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said.