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Iran nuclear deal: Trump's high-stakes balancing act Iran nuclear deal: Trump's high-stakes balancing act
(about 1 hour later)
President Donald Trump is about to make a decision on US sanctions against Iran that could put the nuclear deal in question. What does it mean? President Donald Trump has extended sanctions relief for Iran one last time, says the White House. What does it mean?
The president is widely expected to extend the sanctions relief that was part of the nuclear accord, signed by Iran and six world powers in 2015. The announcement puts a question mark over the future of the nuclear accord signed by Iran and six world powers in 2015.
The pact lifted economic sanctions in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear ambitions.The pact lifted economic sanctions in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear ambitions.
But Mr Trump was fiercely critical of the deal during his election campaign, and refused to certify it in October. President Donald Trump was fiercely critical of the deal during his election campaign, and refused to certify it in October.
On Thursday, European powers urged the US not to abandon the agreement. European powers have repeatedly urged the US not to abandon the agreement.
So why are they worried?So why are they worried?
What are the waivers?What are the waivers?
For years, economic sanctions were imposed by the US on Iran to try to curb its nuclear programme.For years, economic sanctions were imposed by the US on Iran to try to curb its nuclear programme.
These measures cut Iran off from the global financial system.These measures cut Iran off from the global financial system.
Under the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, the US agreed to lift the sanctions by issuing executive waivers.Under the nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, the US agreed to lift the sanctions by issuing executive waivers.
The White House has to verify to lawmakers that Iran is still in compliance with the terms of the agreement in order to keep the nuclear deal afloat.The White House has to verify to lawmakers that Iran is still in compliance with the terms of the agreement in order to keep the nuclear deal afloat.
To do this, it withholds the re-imposition of these sanctions. To do this, it has been withholding the re-imposition of these sanctions.
This comes through an executive waiver issued by the president.This comes through an executive waiver issued by the president.
US law pertaining to the Iran nuclear deal, passed during the Obama administration, requires the White House to acknowledge Iran's compliance with the deal every 90 days.US law pertaining to the Iran nuclear deal, passed during the Obama administration, requires the White House to acknowledge Iran's compliance with the deal every 90 days.
It was a way for Republicans - who were opposed to the deal - to keep a check on President Obama and US participation in the accord.It was a way for Republicans - who were opposed to the deal - to keep a check on President Obama and US participation in the accord.
These compliance conditions have rankled with Republican President Donald Trump, who campaigned against the deal.These compliance conditions have rankled with Republican President Donald Trump, who campaigned against the deal.
This week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said more sanctions were coming. Mr Trump has just extended the sanctions relief, but a senior administration official said "this is the last such waiver he will issue".
The White House wants European powers to impose permanent restrictions - currently set to expire in 2025 - on Iran's uranium enrichment. Mr Trump also wants Iran's ballistic missile programme addressed.
What is recertification?What is recertification?
Recertification of the nuclear deal is a two-part process.Recertification of the nuclear deal is a two-part process.
Verifying that Iran is in compliance with the nuclear deal is part of it.Verifying that Iran is in compliance with the nuclear deal is part of it.
However, the second part involves the White House certifying that the nuclear deal remains in the US national security interest.However, the second part involves the White House certifying that the nuclear deal remains in the US national security interest.
The original agreement was forged between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany.The original agreement was forged between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany.
On the campaign trail in 2016, candidate Trump repeatedly pledged to tear up the Iran deal if elected.On the campaign trail in 2016, candidate Trump repeatedly pledged to tear up the Iran deal if elected.
But since taking office, he has kept the accord alive by issuing the sanctions waivers. He has not, however, said the deal is in the US national interest.But since taking office, he has kept the accord alive by issuing the sanctions waivers. He has not, however, said the deal is in the US national interest.
In October 2017, Donald Trump decertified part of the deal on these national security grounds. This did not amount to quitting the accord.In October 2017, Donald Trump decertified part of the deal on these national security grounds. This did not amount to quitting the accord.
The president kicked the fate of the agreement to Congress, demanding that lawmakers "address the deal's many flaws" by legislating tougher terms.The president kicked the fate of the agreement to Congress, demanding that lawmakers "address the deal's many flaws" by legislating tougher terms.
Congress had 60 days to do this, a time Mr Trump called the "snapback window". That deadline has passed.Congress had 60 days to do this, a time Mr Trump called the "snapback window". That deadline has passed.
What's the role of Congress in all this?What's the role of Congress in all this?
The Republican-controlled House would easily walk away from the JCPOA. But the ratio of Democrats to Republicans in the Senate makes this not so easy: Republicans have a narrow majority - 51 to 49.The Republican-controlled House would easily walk away from the JCPOA. But the ratio of Democrats to Republicans in the Senate makes this not so easy: Republicans have a narrow majority - 51 to 49.
If Trump again does not re-certify the deal then that reopens the so-called snapback window and again Congress would be in charge of coming up with negotiated terms for a revised deal. If they cannot reach an agreement, Congress could end the US role in the JCPOA.If Trump again does not re-certify the deal then that reopens the so-called snapback window and again Congress would be in charge of coming up with negotiated terms for a revised deal. If they cannot reach an agreement, Congress could end the US role in the JCPOA.
In the House, a majority is required and in the Senate, Leader Mitch McConnell could introduce expedited legislation, bypassing the committee process - and go straight to the floor for a vote. Fifty-one votes are required to pass the Senate.In the House, a majority is required and in the Senate, Leader Mitch McConnell could introduce expedited legislation, bypassing the committee process - and go straight to the floor for a vote. Fifty-one votes are required to pass the Senate.
Mr Trump often touts his deal-making skills and this tactic appeared designed to see if some kind of agreement could be reached to fix what he did not like about the deal. Mr Trump often touts his deal-making skills and this tactic appeared designed to see if some kind of bargain could be reached to fix what he did not like about the deal.
The original snapback window passed in December unnoticed.The original snapback window passed in December unnoticed.
A Senate aide tells the BBC: "Trump asked them not to do anything in the snapback window and instead said get me a better deal."A Senate aide tells the BBC: "Trump asked them not to do anything in the snapback window and instead said get me a better deal."
Senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Republicans Bob Corker and Tom Cotton, as well as Democrat Ben Cardin - have been involved in coming up with new legislative text.Senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - Republicans Bob Corker and Tom Cotton, as well as Democrat Ben Cardin - have been involved in coming up with new legislative text.
Why does Trump dislike the deal?Why does Trump dislike the deal?
During the 2016 election campaign, Mr Trump has repeatedly excoriated the JCPOA as the "worst deal ever", depicting the Obama administration as the dupe of a nettlesome geopolitical antagonist. Mr Trump's repeated excoriation of the JCPOA as the "worst deal ever" while electioneering sought to depict the Obama administration as weak.
When he refused in October to continue to recertify the deal, the president condemned Iran as a "fanatical regime".When he refused in October to continue to recertify the deal, the president condemned Iran as a "fanatical regime".
In a combative speech, he accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and proposed new sanctions.In a combative speech, he accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and proposed new sanctions.
He said Iran had already violated the 2015 deal, which imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear capability in return for easing international embargoes.He said Iran had already violated the 2015 deal, which imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear capability in return for easing international embargoes.
But international observers say Iran has been in full compliance with the deal. But UN inspectors have certified nine times that Iran is in compliance with the deal.
Mr Trump's balancing act - decertify the accord but keep the US within it - allows him to talk tough while avoiding the messy consequences if it collapsed. Mr Trump's balancing act - decertify the accord but keep the US within it for now - allows him to talk tough while avoiding the messy consequences if it collapsed altogether.
What's the impact of the Iran protests?What's the impact of the Iran protests?
The anti-government protests that erupted across Iran in December have added a layer of complexity to an already thorny issue.The anti-government protests that erupted across Iran in December have added a layer of complexity to an already thorny issue.
Opponents of the Iranian regime are also critical of the deal because they say it does not punish the Islamic Republic for human rights abuses and its sponsorship of militias across the Middle East. Opponents of the Iranian regime are also critical of the deal because they say it does not punish the Islamic Republic for human rights abuses and involvement in conflicts such as Yemen and Syria.
With thousands arrested and imprisoned, and reports of deaths, suicide and torture, all eyes are on what Donald Trump's next move will be.With thousands arrested and imprisoned, and reports of deaths, suicide and torture, all eyes are on what Donald Trump's next move will be.
Iranian exiles have seized on the unrest to try to lobby American lawmakers to support a tough line on the regime.Iranian exiles have seized on the unrest to try to lobby American lawmakers to support a tough line on the regime.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last monarch, was on Capitol Hill on Thursday meeting with hawkish Republican lawmakers, such as Adam Kinzinger and Ted Cruz.Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last monarch, was on Capitol Hill on Thursday meeting with hawkish Republican lawmakers, such as Adam Kinzinger and Ted Cruz.
Mr Pahlavi urged the sanctioning of Iranian officials and organisations for purported human rights abuses, as well as support for keeping Iran's telecommunications channels open.Mr Pahlavi urged the sanctioning of Iranian officials and organisations for purported human rights abuses, as well as support for keeping Iran's telecommunications channels open.
What next?What next?
"I expect the president will waive economic sanctions, but it's impossible to know for certain," a senior Republican aide told the BBC on Wednesday. "And I expect he will decline to certify again." The waiver suspends sanctions on Iran for 120 days.
It's believed the snapback clock starts back again, because of non-certification, but no one seems to know for certain. "Right now we're in a holding pattern," a senior Democratic Senate aide said. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said his department is weighing further sanctions in light of the protests.
Meanwhile, US officials say they are weighing further sanctions in light of the protests. The US still maintains separate sanctions on Iran related to matters such as terrorism, human rights and ballistic missile development.
A National Security Council spokesperson told the BBC: "The US government will hold accountable individuals and entities involved in the violent suppression of peaceful protests.A National Security Council spokesperson told the BBC: "The US government will hold accountable individuals and entities involved in the violent suppression of peaceful protests.
"We are examining what mechanisms we could utilize including targeted sanctions and other means.""We are examining what mechanisms we could utilize including targeted sanctions and other means."