Unic Press UK: The United States has formally withdrawn from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, which was inked in 2015 by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the European Union and the P5+1 countries.
In a live TV broadcast Tuesday, the U.S. President Donald Trump said:
“…. I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal… We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. Any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States. America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction. And we will not allow a regime that chants “Death to America” to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth.” (Donald Trump: May 8, 2018)
It was in July 14, 2015, that the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the European Union, and Iran inked an agreement ‘Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)’, which is aimed at ensuring that Iran’s massive nuclear interests would be exclusively peaceful.
Sequel to the agreement ‘Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)’, which was executed in July 14, 2015, between Iran, the European Union, and the P5+1 countries, the JCPOA came into force on October 18, 2015.
The JCPOA was unanimously endorsed by the United Nations via UN Security Council resolution 2231.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was mandated to monitor Iran’s adherence on the deal; and the agency has repeatedly confirmed Iran’s commitment and compliance, including the state’s implementation of the key nuclear-related measures described in the JCPOA.
European Union (EU) remains committed to the JCPOA
The European Union (EU) has reacted, insisting that it remains committed to the Iran nuclear deal. In a statement, the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini said:
“As we have always said, the nuclear deal is not a bilateral agreement and it is not in the hands of any single country to terminate it unilaterally. 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. I am particularly worried by the announcement of new sanctions. I will consult with all our partners in the coming hours and days to assess their implications. The European Union is determined to act in accordance with its security interests and to protect its economic investments. The nuclear deal with Iran is crucial for the security of the region, of Europe and of the entire world. The European Union is determined to preserve it. We expect the rest of the international community to continue to do its part to guarantee that it continues to be fully implemented, for the sake of our own collective security. Let me conclude with a message to the Iranian citizens and leaders. To each and every one of them. Do not let anyone dismantle this agreement. It is one of the biggest achievements diplomacy has ever delivered.”
Iranian government weigh options
President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran is still committed to the JCPOA, though immediate practical steps in the light of the U.S withdrawal would follow. In a televised speech, he said:
“From this moment, the JCPOA exists between Iran and five countries. From this moment, P5 +1 has lost one of its members. I have ordered the foreign ministry to call for negotiations with the European countries in the next few weeks and also with the two other major countries namely Russia and China to hold consultations. So if at end of this short period time, if we come to the conclusion that with the collaboration of five countries it is feasible to attain what the Iranian people wish, despite the views of the U.S. and Zionist regime and also the impolite remarks by Trump, we should see whether it is possible to just keep up with JCPOA and also take steps in line with regional peace and tranquility.”
The Iranian President has ordered the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to go ahead with adequate preparations to resume enrichment up to industrial level.
