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| Iran deal: Donald Trump withdraws US from nuclear agreement – live | Iran deal: Donald Trump withdraws US from nuclear agreement – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former US president Barack Obama, whose adminstration successfully negotiated the Iran deal, said Trump’s announcement was “misguided.” | |
| “At a time when we are all rooting for diplomacy with North Korea to succeed, walking away from the JCPOA risks losing a deal that accomplishes – with Iran – the very outcome that we are pursuing with the North Koreans,” Obama said. | |
| “That is why today’s announcement is so misguided. Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America’s closest allies, and an agreement that our country’s leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated. In a democracy, there will always be changes in policies and priorities from one Administration to the next. But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America’s credibility, and puts us at odds with the world’s major powers.” | |
| He also provided a five point rebuttal to Trump adminstration criticisms of the Iran agreement, including Trump’s claim Iran was building a nuclear program in violation of the agreement. “The JCPOA does not rely on trust – it is rooted in the most far-reaching inspections and verification regime ever negotiated in an arms control deal,” Obama said. | |
| “Because of these facts, I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake,” Obama said. “Without the JCPOA, the United States could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East.” | |
| In his speech, Rouhani reassured Iranians and said his government was fully prepared to counter the consequences of the US pull-out. Iranian people, he said, should have “no worries for the future of the country.” | |
| Despite Rouhani’s assurances, Trump’s decision has revived worries of war inside Iran, where people are concerned about the state of its already fragile economy, and consequences for the fate of pro-deal reformists. | |
| Ordinary Iranians were on tenterhooks, monitoring the developments closely, particularly any immediate impact on the country’s national currency, which hit an all-time low last month, prompting panic-buying of hard-to-find dollars amid political uncertainty. | |
| Trump’s decision to reimpose sanctions is likely to exacerbate the state of the economy at the time when public discontent is rife. In January, protests over economic grievances that began by the end of last year spread in an spontaneous manner to as many as 80 cities, taking on a political dimension. The unrest resulted in the death of at least 25 protesters and jailing of more than 3000 people - many of whom remain in prison. | |
| Sadeq Zibakalam, a prominent political commentator and professor of politics at Tehran University, struck a pessimistic tone about the consequences of Trump’s decision in Iran. | |
| “Many people are worried about war,” he told the Guardian on phone from Tehran. “Whenever the country faces a crisis in its foreign policy or economy, the situation gets better for hardliners, they’d be able to exert their force more easily.” | |
| He added: “At the same time, hardliners will gain politically from this situation, because they’ll attack reformists and moderates like [President] Rouhani that this is evidence of what they had been saying for years, that the US cannot be trusted, and that US is always prepared to knife you in the back.” | |
| Zibakalam, who is close to the reformists, said he did not think it would take long for Europeans and other nations to follow in the footsteps of the US, because they won’t endanger their economic ties with Washington, which would outweigh the benefits of doing business with Iran. | |
| “In the short term, the radical faction in Iran will be strengthened, this is good for the hardliners, this will boost their position in Iran’s political system. When officials face serious problems running the country, radical factions such as the Revolutionary Guards will play bigger role in managing the country,” he said. “When [former president] Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was in power, they were in denial that sanctions were having an affect, but in reality we realised that the Iranian economy was buckling under pressure, so much that after three years since the nuclear agreement, it hasn’t completely freed itself from the shackles of sanctions, that’s why I am pessimistic.” | |
| Foad Izadi, a Tehran-based conservative political analyst, said Trump’s aim was to confront ran with greater force. “Mr Rouhani has been defending the agreement as a matter of personal prestige, Mr Zarif has been arguing internally that it is possible to reach an agreement [with the US], but this shows that their analysis has been wrong, and the Iranian president has been pursuing a wrong policy. This shows that the idea that you can negotiate with the US and reach an agreement won’t bear any fruits, not only he wants to reimpose sanctions that had been suspended, he wants to impose new sanctions.” | |
| Izadi said Iran can withstand the pressure. “For 40 years, we have been living under sanctions. The collapse of the nuclear deal will mean that we have to find ways to circumvent sanctions, something we have done in the past. The institutions that have been doing that now need to be reequipped.” | |
| “When relations between Iran and the US goes down from bad to worse, the risk of confrontation and war, particularly in the region, goes up,” Izadi added. | |
| Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), said Trump’s “reckless decision” puts the US on path to war with Iran. | |
| “Donald Trump has committed what will go down as one of the greatest acts of self-sabotage in America’s modern history. He has put the United States on a path towards war with Iran and may trigger a wider regional war and nuclear arms race,” he said. | |
| UK prime minister Theresa May, German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Emmanuel Macron released a joint statement on the US exit from the Iran deal: | |
| They said they had “regret and concern” about Trump’s decision and they planned to continue abiding by the agreement. | |
| Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement. | |
| We urge the US to ensure that the structures of the JCPoA can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal. After engaging with the US Administration in a thorough manner over the past months, we call on the US to do everything possible to preserve the gains for nuclear non-proliferation brought about by the JCPoA, by allowing for a continued enforcement of its main elements. | |
| We encourage Iran to show restraint in response to the decision by the US; Iran must continue to meet its own obligations under the deal, cooperating fully and in a timely manner with IAEA inspection requirements. The IAEA must be able to continue to carry out its long-term verification and monitoring programme without restriction or hindrance. In turn, Iran should continue to receive the sanctions relief it is entitled to whilst it remains in compliance with the terms of the deal. | |
| Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, speaking shortly after Donald Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the landmark nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions at its highest level, said he believed the agreement could still survive if other negotiating partners defied Trump. | Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, speaking shortly after Donald Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the landmark nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions at its highest level, said he believed the agreement could still survive if other negotiating partners defied Trump. |
| But the Iranian president warned that he has instructed the country’s atomic energy agency to prepare to restart enrichment of uranium at an industrial level in a few weeks time should the deal collapses completely. | But the Iranian president warned that he has instructed the country’s atomic energy agency to prepare to restart enrichment of uranium at an industrial level in a few weeks time should the deal collapses completely. |
| “This is a psychological war, we won’t allow Trump to win... I’m happy that the pesky being has left the Barjam,” he said referring to Persian acronym for JCPOA or the nuclear deal. | “This is a psychological war, we won’t allow Trump to win... I’m happy that the pesky being has left the Barjam,” he said referring to Persian acronym for JCPOA or the nuclear deal. |
| “Tonight we witnessed a new historic experience... for 40 years we’ve said and repeated that Iran always abides by its commitments, and the US never complies, our 40-year history shows us Americans have been aggressive towards great people of Iran and our region .. from the [1953] coup against the legitimate government of [Mohammad] Mosaddegh Mosadeq government and their meddling in the affairs of the last regime, support for Saddam [Hussein during Iran-Iraq war] and downing or our passenger plane by a US vessel and their actions in Afghanistan, in Yemen,” he said. | “Tonight we witnessed a new historic experience... for 40 years we’ve said and repeated that Iran always abides by its commitments, and the US never complies, our 40-year history shows us Americans have been aggressive towards great people of Iran and our region .. from the [1953] coup against the legitimate government of [Mohammad] Mosaddegh Mosadeq government and their meddling in the affairs of the last regime, support for Saddam [Hussein during Iran-Iraq war] and downing or our passenger plane by a US vessel and their actions in Afghanistan, in Yemen,” he said. |
| “What Americans announced today was a clear demonstration of what they have been doing for months. Since the nuclear deal, when did they comply? They only left a signature and made some statements, but did nothing that would benefit the people of Iran.” | “What Americans announced today was a clear demonstration of what they have been doing for months. Since the nuclear deal, when did they comply? They only left a signature and made some statements, but did nothing that would benefit the people of Iran.” |
| Rouhani said the International Atomic Energy Agency (the IAEA) has verified that Tehran has abide by its obligations under the deal. “This is not an agreement between Iran and the US... for US to announce it’s pulling out, it’s a multilateral agreement, endorsed by the UN security council resolution 2231, Americans officially announcement today showed that their disregard for international commitments.. We saw that in their disregard for Paris agreement.. | Rouhani said the International Atomic Energy Agency (the IAEA) has verified that Tehran has abide by its obligations under the deal. “This is not an agreement between Iran and the US... for US to announce it’s pulling out, it’s a multilateral agreement, endorsed by the UN security council resolution 2231, Americans officially announcement today showed that their disregard for international commitments.. We saw that in their disregard for Paris agreement.. |
| “Our people saw that the only regime that supports Trump is the illegitimate Zionist regime, the ame regime that killed our nuclear scientists” | “Our people saw that the only regime that supports Trump is the illegitimate Zionist regime, the ame regime that killed our nuclear scientists” |
| “From now on, this is an agreement between Iran and five countries... from now on the P5+1 has lost its 1... we have to wait and see how other react. If we come to the conclusion that with cooperation with the five countries we can keep what we wanted despite Israeli and American efforts, Barjam can cursive,” he said referring to Persian acronym for JCPOA or the nuclear deal. | “From now on, this is an agreement between Iran and five countries... from now on the P5+1 has lost its 1... we have to wait and see how other react. If we come to the conclusion that with cooperation with the five countries we can keep what we wanted despite Israeli and American efforts, Barjam can cursive,” he said referring to Persian acronym for JCPOA or the nuclear deal. |
| “We had already come to the conclusion that Trump will not abide by international commitments and won’t respect Barjam.” | “We had already come to the conclusion that Trump will not abide by international commitments and won’t respect Barjam.” |
| The Guardian’s Jerusalem correspondent Oliver Holmes sent over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to Trump’s announcement. | The Guardian’s Jerusalem correspondent Oliver Holmes sent over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to Trump’s announcement. |
| Netanyahu, who has been a vocal critic of the deal and called for Trump to “fix it or nix it”, said on Tuesday evening: | Netanyahu, who has been a vocal critic of the deal and called for Trump to “fix it or nix it”, said on Tuesday evening: |
| “Israel fully supports President Trump’s bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran.”He said Israel opposed the deal as it “paves Iran’s path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs.” | “Israel fully supports President Trump’s bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran.”He said Israel opposed the deal as it “paves Iran’s path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs.” |
| The “removal of sanctions under the deal has already produced disastrous results,” he said. | The “removal of sanctions under the deal has already produced disastrous results,” he said. |
| “Israel thanks President Trump for his courageous leadership,” he added. | “Israel thanks President Trump for his courageous leadership,” he added. |
| US Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin has confirmed the sanctions in a statement. | US Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin has confirmed the sanctions in a statement. |
| He said the sanctions will be reimposed in keeping with 90 day and 180 day “wind-down” periods. Mnuchin said: | He said the sanctions will be reimposed in keeping with 90 day and 180 day “wind-down” periods. Mnuchin said: |
| President Trump has been consistent and clear that this Administration is resolved to addressing the totality of Iran’s destabilizing activities. We will continue to work with our allies to build an agreement that is truly in the best interest of our long-term national security. The United States will cut off the IRGC’s access to capital to fund Iranian malign activity, including its status as the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, its use of ballistic missiles against our allies, its support for the brutal Assad regime in Syria, its human rights violations against its own people, and its abuses of the international financial system. | President Trump has been consistent and clear that this Administration is resolved to addressing the totality of Iran’s destabilizing activities. We will continue to work with our allies to build an agreement that is truly in the best interest of our long-term national security. The United States will cut off the IRGC’s access to capital to fund Iranian malign activity, including its status as the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, its use of ballistic missiles against our allies, its support for the brutal Assad regime in Syria, its human rights violations against its own people, and its abuses of the international financial system. |
| The specifics of how the sanctions will work are outlined here. | The specifics of how the sanctions will work are outlined here. |
| Republicans were quick to defend Trump’s decision, signaling the party’s ongoing reluctance to challenge the president even as some had expressed reservations about pulling out of the accord.Kevin McCarthy, the House majority leader, said Trump was saying was staying true to what he promised as a candidate.“This is something the president campaigned on,” McCarthy told Fox News. “I think President Trump understands foreign policy … If our main goal here is not to have Iran have a nuclear weapon, i would trust this president to actually get it done.”McCarthy said he had been briefed on the administration’s plans to exit the agreement, but as of now there had been no immediate demands from Congress to take action.“I think it’s only appropriate that the world together becomes involved and gets a better agreement and makes sure Iran does not have a nuclear weapon,” he added. | Republicans were quick to defend Trump’s decision, signaling the party’s ongoing reluctance to challenge the president even as some had expressed reservations about pulling out of the accord.Kevin McCarthy, the House majority leader, said Trump was saying was staying true to what he promised as a candidate.“This is something the president campaigned on,” McCarthy told Fox News. “I think President Trump understands foreign policy … If our main goal here is not to have Iran have a nuclear weapon, i would trust this president to actually get it done.”McCarthy said he had been briefed on the administration’s plans to exit the agreement, but as of now there had been no immediate demands from Congress to take action.“I think it’s only appropriate that the world together becomes involved and gets a better agreement and makes sure Iran does not have a nuclear weapon,” he added. |
| The Republican Jewish Coalition, a group that aggressively lobbied against the Iran deal and is backed by the casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, welcomed Trump’s announcement. | The Republican Jewish Coalition, a group that aggressively lobbied against the Iran deal and is backed by the casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, welcomed Trump’s announcement. |
| “Today’s decision renewed hope for a truly long-term nuclear-free Iran,” the group said in a statement. “Iran continues to be an existential threat to Israel, and continues to menace Israel directly and through its proxies (such as Hezbollah).” | “Today’s decision renewed hope for a truly long-term nuclear-free Iran,” the group said in a statement. “Iran continues to be an existential threat to Israel, and continues to menace Israel directly and through its proxies (such as Hezbollah).” |
| “We appreciate President Trump’s bold foreign policy and look forward to his leadership in dealing with the Iranian threat.” | “We appreciate President Trump’s bold foreign policy and look forward to his leadership in dealing with the Iranian threat.” |
| Adelson is set to meet tomorrow with Trump, according to Washington Post White House reporter Ashley Parker. | Adelson is set to meet tomorrow with Trump, according to Washington Post White House reporter Ashley Parker. |
| Sheldon Adelson to meet with Trump in D.C. tomorrow. Described as a “friendly,” long-planned meeting, not related to today’s Iran news. | Sheldon Adelson to meet with Trump in D.C. tomorrow. Described as a “friendly,” long-planned meeting, not related to today’s Iran news. |
| The White House has released its justification for violating the Iran nuclear deal and re-imposing sanctions lifted under the deal. | The White House has released its justification for violating the Iran nuclear deal and re-imposing sanctions lifted under the deal. |
| “The re-imposed sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran’s economy, such as its energy, petrochemical, and financial sectors,” according to the White House brief. “Those doing business in Iran will be provided a period of time to allow them to wind down operations in or business involving Iran. | “The re-imposed sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran’s economy, such as its energy, petrochemical, and financial sectors,” according to the White House brief. “Those doing business in Iran will be provided a period of time to allow them to wind down operations in or business involving Iran. |
| Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate foreign relations committee, condemned Trump’s decision to withdraw from the accord as “a grave mistake”. | Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate foreign relations committee, condemned Trump’s decision to withdraw from the accord as “a grave mistake”. |
| “With this decision President Trump is risking US national security, recklessly upending foundational partnerships with key US allies in Europe and gambling with Israel’s security,” Menendez said in a statement. | “With this decision President Trump is risking US national security, recklessly upending foundational partnerships with key US allies in Europe and gambling with Israel’s security,” Menendez said in a statement. |
| “Today’s withdrawal from the JCPOA makes it more likely Iran will restart its nuclear weapons program in the future.” | “Today’s withdrawal from the JCPOA makes it more likely Iran will restart its nuclear weapons program in the future.” |
| Menendez also called on Trump to immediately dispatch his national security team to Capitol Hill to explain his administration’s strategy toward Iran before Congress. | Menendez also called on Trump to immediately dispatch his national security team to Capitol Hill to explain his administration’s strategy toward Iran before Congress. |
| Chris Murphy, a Democrat on the Senate foreign relations committee, dubbed Trump’s announcement as “terrible news”.“Pulling out of the Iran deal is like a soccer player deliberately kicking the ball into their own team’s goal,” Murphy said. “There is nothing but downside for the U.S., especially since Trump has zero plan for what comes next.” Murphy added that Trump’s move would not only escalate nuclear crisis with Iran but also complicate negotiations with North Korea, stating: “It will make it even harder to convince Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear weapons because we just showed that we can’t be trusted to live up to our end of a bargain.” | Chris Murphy, a Democrat on the Senate foreign relations committee, dubbed Trump’s announcement as “terrible news”.“Pulling out of the Iran deal is like a soccer player deliberately kicking the ball into their own team’s goal,” Murphy said. “There is nothing but downside for the U.S., especially since Trump has zero plan for what comes next.” Murphy added that Trump’s move would not only escalate nuclear crisis with Iran but also complicate negotiations with North Korea, stating: “It will make it even harder to convince Kim Jong Un to give up his nuclear weapons because we just showed that we can’t be trusted to live up to our end of a bargain.” |
| EU president Donald Tusk was also quick to release a statement promising a “united European approach” to Trump’s decision. | EU president Donald Tusk was also quick to release a statement promising a “united European approach” to Trump’s decision. |
| Policies of @realDonaldTrump on #IranDeal and trade will meet a united European approach. EU leaders will tackle both issues at the summit in Sofia next week. | Policies of @realDonaldTrump on #IranDeal and trade will meet a united European approach. EU leaders will tackle both issues at the summit in Sofia next week. |