Donald Trump pulls US out of Iran nuclear deal
US president vows the ‘highest level of economic sanctions’ against Tehran
Donald Trump has withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal, pitting him against the United States’ closest allies, leaving the future of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions in question and stirring uncertainty in the Gulf.
“It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement,” Trump said in a statement at the White House yesterday. “The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing we know exactly what will happen.”
The US president then signed an executive order “reimposing sanctions on any foreign company that continues to do business with Iran”, The Guardian says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani responded shortly after the announcement, ordering that the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran to be “ready for action if needed, so that if necessary we can resume our [uranium] enrichment on an industrial level without any limitations”.
Rouhani also indicated that Tehran will speak with the other signatories to the deal to see if it will be possible to meet the goals of the deal without the United States.
However, that seems unlikely as the scope of the economic sanctions proposed by Trump – including a complete ban on any US companies or people doing business with Iran – would have a flow-on effect to other countries.
The move comes despite fierce lobbying by the UK, Germany and France who are also signatories of the agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and had urged Trump not to back away out.
The leaders of those nations issued a statement expressing “regret and concern” at Trump’s decision, while reaffirming their commitment to the deal.
CNN says Trump’s decision could have “explosive consequences”, and potentially strain US ties with some of its closest allies while “disrupting oil markets and boosting tensions in the Middle East”.
According to The New York Times, the move could “embolden hard-line forces in Iran,” raising the prospect of Iranian retaliation against Israel or the United States, while also “fuelling an arms race in the Middle East and fanning sectarian conflicts from Syria to Yemen.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published