On Tuesday, May 8th, President Donald Trump declared in a televised statement that the United States will be pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal. The President stated that it was a "horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made."
This announcement draws uncertainty on America's relations with European allies who have committed to staying in the deal. It could also increase the country's tensions with Russia and China, who are also remaining in the agreement. Despite American withdrawal, a joint statement was released by President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who urged Iran to "continue to meet its own obligations under the deal".
The United States will also be instituting the "highest level of economic sanctions," according to President Trump. There are no details yet on the reimposition of sanctions, but national security advisor to the White House, John Bolton, suggested that the country will be taking a maximalist approach and is preparing to implement all sanctions that were waived as part of the 2015 nuclear accord.
Supporters of the deal worry that new secondary sanctions imposed by Trump could crumble the entire agreement, as the sanctions would penalize entities in other countries such as European allies, if they engage in business with Iran. Additional sanctions, specifically oil sanctions, would require European and Asian countries to reduce imports from Iran.
The withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal fulfills one of the President's biggest campaign promises on an issue he often criticised his predecessor for. The 2015 nuclear deal, signed by President Barack Obama, removed American and international economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for stricter limitations on the country's nuclear program. Iran has signaled that it is committed with world powers, but is also interested in stepping up its uranium enrichment. The country's supreme religious and political leader has declared nuclear weapons as un-Islamic and claims that its nuclear program is aimed solely at producing energy and conducting medical research.
During all the back-and-forth decisions on the Iran deal, the President had actually made his decision weeks ago when French President Emmanl Macron visited the White House. Trump had told Mr. Macron personally that he planned to pull the United States out of the accords on May 12th.
President Trump's aggression and seemingly unwavering stance on international relations come during the United State's attempt to negotiate peace with North Korea. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is to visit Kim Jong-Un in his country and discuss the upcoming meeting between the North Korean dictator and President Trump, which is said to be scheduled in the next several weeks.
