Could Trump nix the Iran nuclear deal? Radiation Warning Symbol. Public Domain.
The nuclear deal between Israel and the major world powers may have been made before United States President Donald Trump took office. But he can still end America’s participation in what he called on Friday “one of the worst deals I’ve ever seen”—and he could start to take that action this October. The Trump Administration has until October 15 to certify as to Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal. Last week, despite slamming the deal, Trump was coy about his ultimate decision on whether or not he will clear Iran or shake things up by condemning Iran’s behavior.
“Certainly, at a minimum, the spirit of the deal is just atrociously kept, but the Iran deal is not a fair deal to this country. It’s a deal that should have never, ever been made,” said Trump in comments released on the White House website. “And you’ll see what we’re doing in a couple of weeks. It’s going to be in October.”
The nuclear deal involved a number of nations, including European states, China, and Russia. But if the United States restarts sanctions on Iran, The New York Times reported that that would effectively scuttle the deal by nudging Iran to withdraw from the deal as well.
Despite Trump’s strong pronouncements, it’s unclear how impactful his certification will be in October. The New York Times reported that Trump’s decision last week to continue to waive certain sanctions on Iran, which is part of the nuclear deal, is much more important. The report argued that even an October decision to declare Iran not in compliance stops short of pulling out of the deal.
But a CNN report considered the October move to be key and could be part of an American withdrawal from the deal. The New York Times contemplated that Trump could try to renegotiate the deal or come at Iran in other ways besides rehashing or nixing the Iran deal.
While Trump wasn’t clear on his plans, what is clear is he doesn’t like the status quo.
“We are not going to stand for what they’re doing to this country. They have violated so many different elements, but they’ve also violated the spirit of that deal. And you will see what we’ll be doing in October,” said Trump. “It will be very evident.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, September 17, 2017)