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Donald Trump has withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal, pitting him against the United States’ closest allies, leaving the future of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions in question and stirring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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.”
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 – 22 August
Quiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
Can Soho House get its edge back?
Talking Point The private members' club has lost its exclusive appeal – but a £2 billion buy-out could offer a fresh start
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A human pyramid, a church on wheels, and more
-
What will security guarantees for Ukraine look like?
Today's Big Question From boots on the ground to economic sanctions, here are the measures that might stop Russia taking another bite out of Ukraine
-
Will Ukraine trade territory for peace?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Kyiv’s defences are wearing thin but a land swap is constitutionally impossible and crosses Zelenskyy's red lines
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Is Trump's new peacemaking model working in DR Congo?
Talking Point Truce brokered by the US president in June is holding, but foundations of a long-term peace have let to be laid
-
Who wins from a Trump-Putin meeting?
Today's Big Question Trump might get the leaders together for a photo op but brokering a peace deal won’t be easy
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
US and EU reach trade deal
Speed Read Trump's meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen resulted in a tariff agreement that will avert a transatlantic trade war