Trump strikes blow at Iran nuclear deal in major U.S. policy shift

[rooster59]

Trump strikes blow at Iran nuclear deal in major U.S. policy shift

By Steve Holland and Yara Bayoumy

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about Iran and the Iran nuclear deal in front of a portrait of President George Washington in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., October 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump struck a blow against the 2015 Iran nuclear deal on Friday, defying both U.S. allies and adversaries by refusing to formally certify that Tehran is complying with the accord even though international inspectors say it is.

 

Warning that he might ultimately terminate the agreement, Trump's move was a major change in U.S. foreign policy at a time when his administration is also in a crisis with North Korea over that country's nuclear ambitions.

 

It was the second time in two days that Trump took aim at the legacy of his predecessor Barack Obama after signing an executive order on Thursday to weaken the Democratic former president's signature healthcare reform.

 

Hailed by Obama as key to stopping Iran from building a nuclear bomb, the deal was also signed by China, France, Russia, Britain, Germany and the European Union.

 

But Trump says it was too lenient on Tehran and effectively left the fate of the deal up to the U.S. Congress which might try to modify it or bring back U.S. sanctions previously imposed on Iran.

 

"We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence, more terror and the very real threat of Iran’s nuclear breakout," Trump said.

 

European allies have warned of a split with Washington over the nuclear agreement and say that putting it in limbo as Trump has done undermines U.S. credibility abroad.

 

Trump's "America First" approach to international agreements has also led him to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks and renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

 

IRAN REACTION

 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Friday that Tehran was committed to the deal and accused Trump of making baseless accusations.

"The Iranian nation has not and will never bow to any foreign pressure," he said. "Iran and the deal are stronger than ever."

 

The chief of the U.N. atomic watchdog reiterated that Iran was under the world's "most robust nuclear verification regime" and that Tehran is complying with the deal.

 

"The nuclear-related commitments undertaken by Iran under the JCPOA are being implemented," Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency said, referring to the deal by its formal name.

 

Under U.S. law, the president must certify every 90 days to Congress that Iran is complying with the deal, which Trump had reluctantly done twice.

 

Two administration officials privy to the Iran policy debate said Trump this time ultimately ignored the opinions of his secretary of defence, secretary of state, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, his chief of staff and his national security advisor.

 

Instead, one of the officials said, Trump listened to the more hardline views of (CIA Director Mike) Pompeo and some outsiders.

 

U.S. Democrats criticized Trump's decision. Senator Ben Cardin said: “At a moment when the United States and its allies face a nuclear crisis with North Korea, the president has manufactured a new crisis that will isolate us from our allies and partners.”

 

In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Washington could not unilaterally cancel the accord.

 

"We cannot afford as the international community to dismantle a nuclear agreement that is working," said Mogherini, who chaired the final stages of the landmark talks. "This deal is not a bilateral agreement.

 

CONGRESS DECIDES

 

The U.S. Congress will now have 60 days to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the pact.

 

If Congress reimposes the sanctions, the United States would in effect be in violation of the terms of the nuclear deal and it would likely fall apart. If lawmakers do nothing, the deal remains in place.

 

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker was working on amending a law on Iran to include "trigger points" that if crossed by Tehran would automatically reimpose U.S. sanctions.

 

A source familiar with the issue said the triggers include reimposing U.S. sanctions if Tehran were deemed to be less than a year away from developing a nuclear weapon.

 

The trigger points are also expected to address tougher nuclear inspections, Iran's ballistic missile program and eliminate the deal's "sunset clauses" under which some of the restrictions on Iran's nuclear program expire over time.

 

It is far from clear Congress will be able to pass the legislation.

 

Trump warned that if "we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated."

 

He singled out Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for sanctions and delivered a blistering critique of Tehran, which he accused of destabilising actions in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

 

The Trump administration censured the Revolutionary Guards but stopped short of labelling the group a foreign terrorist organization.

 

The body is the single most dominant player in Iran’s security, political, and economic systems and wields enormous influence in Iran’s domestic and foreign policies.

 

It had already previously been sanctioned by the United States under other authorities, and the immediate impact of Friday’s measure is likely to be symbolic.

 

The U.S. military said on Friday it was identifying new areas where it could work with allies to put pressure on Iran in support of Trump's new strategy and was reviewing the positioning of U.S. forces.

 

But U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis Iran had not responded to Trump's announcement with any provocative acts so far.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-10-14

[Samui Bodoh]

6 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Two administration officials privy to the Iran policy debate said Trump this time ultimately ignored the opinions of his secretary of defence, secretary of state, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, his chief of staff and his national security advisor.

 

This is one of the stupidest policy decisions that I have ever seen.

 

There is a legitimate disagreement regarding the deal; I think it was worth doing but I also understand those who did not think it was a good idea. However, once the deal was done, it simply does not make sense to discard it. Most of the benefits to Iran have already been achieved and most of the restrictions are still to come; why would the US cancel now?

 

I can only assume that Trump has done this for no other reason than it was negotiated by Obama, and Trump cannot handle the fact that Obama did some good. The US had certified the deal twice already and the senior national security staff all agreed that this action makes no sense; what is it that Trump knows that everyone else does not know? And why would anyone (North Korea especially) negotiate a deal with Trump if they know he won't stick to it?

 

Stupid stupid stupid.

 

I have said it before and (unfortunately) need to say it again;

 

Donald Trump is an ever-expanding cloud of toxic waste that defiles everything it touches.

 

God help us all

 

[ezzra]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

why would the US cancel now?

Why? the world doesn't need another N. Korea, Iran was pulling the wool over the west eyes for so many years now, one would be embarrassed to think otherwise that Iran is enriching  uranium for many years now with help of Pakistan and the N. Korean for " peace purposes", Iran has loft ambitions to rule the middle east, at an cost, and are actively has it's hands dirty with man wars and acts of terrorism around the glob, would any one trust this kind of a regime with a nuclear device?

so the sooner this mocker of an agreement will be

terminated and a better, more enforceable one put in place, the better for everyone, even for the Iran.....

[Golgota]

20 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Why? the world doesn't need another N. Korea, Iran was pulling the wool

over the west eyes for so many years now, one would be imbberesed

to think otherwise that Iran is enriching  uranium for 

many years now with help of Pakistan and the N. Korean for

" peace purposes", Iran has loft ambitions to rule the middle east, at an cost,

and are actively has it's hands dirty with man wars and acts of terrorism around the glob, would any one trust this kind of a regime with a nuclear device?

so the sooner this mocker of an agreement will be

terminated and a better, more enforceable one put in place, the better

for everyone, even for the Iran.....

What you say is simply false.

The world agrees it is a good deal, Tangerine#45 shows to NK it cannot be trusted, he also shows to USA allies he doesn t give a sh!t about them, and ultimately it will penalize the usa.

[simple1]

30 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Why? the world doesn't need another N. Korea, Iran was pulling the wool

over the west eyes for so many years now, one would be imbberesed

to think otherwise that Iran is enriching  uranium for 

many years now with help of Pakistan and the N. Korean for

" peace purposes", Iran has loft ambitions to rule the middle east, at an cost,

and are actively has it's hands dirty with man wars and acts of terrorism around the glob, would any one trust this kind of a regime with a nuclear device?

so the sooner this mocker of an agreement will be

terminated and a better, more enforceable one put in place, the better

for everyone, even for the Iran.....

So you and others presumably have more empirical data to hand than IAEA, SecDef, SecState demonstrating Iran's breach of T&Cs. Nations require stability of international convention, not non compliance by signatories. At this moment in time looks like a purely ideologically driven decision by Trump with zero articulated clarity on the actual benefits to be achieved, together with creating mistrust with US allies and other major powers.

Edited October 14, 2017 by simple1

[tonray]

30 minutes ago, Golgota said:

What you say is simply false.

The world agrees it is a good deal, Tangerine#45 shows to NK it cannot be trusted, he also shows to USA allies he doesn t give a sh!t about them, and ultimately it will penalize the usa.

 

25 minutes ago, simple1 said:

So you and others presumably have more empirical data to hand than IAEA, SecDef, SecState demonstrating Iran's breach of T&Cs. Nations require stability of international convention, not non compliance by signatories. At this moment in time looks like a purely ideologically driven decision by Trump with zero articulated clarity on the actual benefits to be achieved, together with creating mistrust with US allies and other major powers.

Some people are simply stooges of Israeli policy and that supersedes what is good for America's security. 

[Boon Mee]

Excellent move on Trump's quest to completely end Iran's goal of a nuclear bomb. 

[boomerangutang]

Title of the definitive Book on Trump Sr: 

 

How One Shyster, Along With His Easily-duped & Ignorant Fan Club, Was Able to Debilitate The USA and Make The World A More Dangerous Place.

[nausea]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

 

U.S. Democrats criticized Trump's decision. Senator Ben Cardin said: “At a moment when the United States and its allies face a nuclear crisis with North Korea, the president has manufactured a new crisis that will isolate us from our allies and partners.”

I smell a third force.

 

2 minutes ago, tonray said:

Some people are simply stooges of Israeli policy and that supersedes what is good for America's security. 

Now that was a timely post.

[boomerangutang]

Just now, Boon Mee said:

Excellent move on Trump's quest to completely end Iran's goal of a nuclear bomb. 

Except it now releases Iran from any restrictions on developing nukes.

There's a reason that all US and European experts, including the Chinese and Russian leaders backed the deal:  It was the best that could reasonably be expected.  

 

Along comes Dangerous Dufus, and now the Iranian nuclear genie is let out of the bottle.

[Boon Mee]

As if Iran was going to live up to the agreement(s) in any case. 

[Golgota]

Just now, Boon Mee said:

As if Iran was going to live up to the agreement(s) in any case. 

The one who shows he cannot be trusted is USA not Iran.

 

[boomerangutang]

11 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

As if Iran was going to live up to the agreement(s) in any case. 

So, according to that logic:  

 

Let's say you have a crew of doctors and nurses taking care of a seriously ill patient.  One day, you suspect that the sheets weren't laundered for the patient's bed for that day.  You don't know for sure, but you suspect that might be possible.  So, without discussion with anyone, you fire all the doctors and nurses.   Patient now has no care.

[Grouse]

Tango Delta is a laughing stock again

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-iran-nuclear-deal-speech-policy-us-america-tehran-a7999236.html

[Caps]

18 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

As if Iran was going to live up to the agreement(s) in any case. 

Well clearly they lived up to it longer than the Clown in the White House 

[LannaGuy]

He's a nutter and does this stuff for 'ego points' and I'm sure he doesn't understand the deal at all.

[Ahab]

Good move, it was a horrible deal for everyone except the Iranians and their nuclear program.

[Grouse]

This is literally a question of credibility (credo - Latin to believe)

 

This very damaging for the USA. Why should any nation negotiate with the USA on anything?

 

Of course a president may go against a previous president, but the effect on credibility would have to be considered VERY carefully.

 

For me, Delta Tango should be impeached for the severe and possibly irreparable damage he's done to the reputation of the USA. 

 

He's made America's very name  grate.

[hansnl]

5 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

This is one of the stupidest policy decisions that I have ever seen.

 

There is a legitimate disagreement regarding the deal; I think it was worth doing but I also understand those who did not think it was a good idea. However, once the deal was done, it simply does not make sense to discard it. Most of the benefits to Iran have already been achieved and most of the restrictions are still to come; why would the US cancel now?

 

I can only assume that Trump has done this for no other reason than it was negotiated by Obama, and Trump cannot handle the fact that Obama did some good. The US had certified the deal twice already and the senior national security staff all agreed that this action makes no sense; what is it that Trump knows that everyone else does not know? And why would anyone (North Korea especially) negotiate a deal with Trump if they know he won't stick to it?

 

Stupid stupid stupid.

 

I have said it before and (unfortunately) need to say it again;

 

Donald Trump is an ever-expanding cloud of toxic waste that defiles everything it touches.

 

God help us all

 

Obama did nothing good about the Iran deal.  Although the "watchdogs" think all is well, reports indicate Iran is secretly going on trying to buy nuclear technology.  And going on enriching in secret places where the watchdogs are not allowed to inspect.  In fact the deal made the world a more dangerous place.  Much more so.

Since the deal, the connections between Iran and NK have been intensified to levels never seen before.  I presume those levels are not cultural exchange... Better lay the blame of the troubles with NK and Iran where they belong, the Obama period.  Better to accept that period has ended, now to repair the damage.  If possible.

 

 

[JingerBen]

1 hour ago, nausea said:

I smell a third force.

 

Now that was a timely post.

What you smell is elephant dung.

There's a big one in the room.

[baboon]

16 minutes ago, Grouse said:

 

This very damaging for the USA. Why should any nation negotiate with the USA on anything?

Exactly. Whether or not it was a bad deal in the first place is irrelevant - a deal is a deal, or at least it should be.

[ballpoint]

It's time for the world to isolate this dangerous and belligerant regime and refuse to deal with them until they can behave like adult human beings.  I know that Americans won't like this, but he's your president and needs to learn to act like one.

[joecoolfrog]

The great irony is that Trump , at every stupid turn , simply manages to make Obama's star shine brighter.

 

[simple1]

59 minutes ago, hansnl said:

Obama did nothing good about the Iran deal.

Although the "watchdogs" think all is well, reports indicate Iran is secretly going on trying to buy nuclear technology.

And going on enriching in secret places where the watchdogs are not allowed to inspect.

In fact the deal made the world a more dangerous place.

Much more so.

Since the deal, the connections between Iran and NK have been intensified to levels never seen before.

I presume those levels are not cultural exchange...

Better lay the blame of the troubles with NK and Iran where they belong, the Obama period.

Better to accept that period has ended, now to repair the damage.

If possible.

 

 

 

As the mainstream players within the Trump Administration and the international community are claiming Iran is in compliance to the conditions of the JCPOA, will you please provide links to support your allegations.

 

[Samui Bodoh]

1 hour ago, hansnl said:

Obama did nothing good about the Iran deal.

Although the "watchdogs" think all is well, reports indicate Iran is secretly going on trying to buy nuclear technology.

And going on enriching in secret places where the watchdogs are not allowed to inspect.

In fact the deal made the world a more dangerous place.

Much more so.

Since the deal, the connections between Iran and NK have been intensified to levels never seen before.

I presume those levels are not cultural exchange...

Better lay the blame of the troubles with NK and Iran where they belong, the Obama period.

Better to accept that period has ended, now to repair the damage.

If possible.

 

 

 

These "watchdogs" (as you refer to them) are the US Secretary of Defense, the US National Security Adviser, the US Secretary of State, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the European partners, the IAEA, the Russians, the Chinese, the UN and more.

 

I tend to believe them, but apparently you do not.

 

You say that "reports indicate" that Iran is secretly buying nuclear tech. What reports and why do you think the list above doesn't know about them?

 

"And going on enriching in secret places where the watchdogs are not allowed to inspect." Hmmm... You must have some incredible sources! I will follow the US Secretary of Defense, the US National Security Adviser, the US Secretary of State, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the European partners, the IAEA, the Russians, the Chinese, the UN.

 

"In fact the deal made the world a more dangerous place."  Again, I'll go with the US Secretary of Defense, the US National Security Adviser, the US Secretary of State, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the European partners, the IAEA, the Russians, the Chinese, the UN

 

"Since the deal, the connections between Iran and NK have been intensified to levels never seen before.

I presume those levels are not cultural exchange..."  My my you have some incredible sources! However, as you seem to know that these contacts exist, how come you don't know the content?

 

Your post is conspiracy theory nonsense.

 

What a waste of time...

 

Edited October 14, 2017 by Samui Bodoh

[LannaGuy]

9 minutes ago, joecoolfrog said:

The great irony is that Trump , at every stupid turn , simply manages to make Obama's star shine brighter.

 

I totally disagree. Obama was a nice, but ineffective, POTUS.  I think there is no relationship between the nutter Trump and the weak Obama. Now if you were saying you preferred Obama that's another thing entirely but Obama doesn't gain anything in my opinion.

[riclag]

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

Why? the world doesn't need another N. Korea, Iran was pulling the wool over the west eyes for so many years now, one would be embarrassed to think otherwise that Iran is enriching  uranium for many years now with help of Pakistan and the N. Korean for " peace purposes", Iran has loft ambitions to rule the middle east, at an cost, and are actively has it's hands dirty with man wars and acts of terrorism around the glob, would any one trust this kind of a regime with a nuclear device?

so the sooner this mocker of an agreement will be

terminated and a better, more enforceable one put in place, the better for everyone, even for the Iran.....

Me think's that many people who oppose Twitterman would accept  Iran's nuclear   aspirations,  just to spite him.

[Curmudgeon1]

What does he know that isn't told....

[Guest]

25 minutes ago, riclag said:

Me think's that many people who oppose Twitterman would accept  Iran's nuclear   aspirations,  just to spite him.

Not really. People who oppose Trump generally rely on logic and facts. Thus understand that it's not beneficial for anyone to create new nuclear weapon powers to this world.

[ilostmypassword]

56 minutes ago, riclag said:

Me think's that many people who oppose Twitterman would accept  Iran's nuclear   aspirations,  just to spite him.

Fortunately they don't need spite since there are very sound reasons for supporting continuation of the agreement. And if the agreement is so bad, why is it that Trump didn't invoke the power he has to reimpose sanctions? Instead he passed the buck to Congress. I guess that means the buck stops there. I've asked that buck-passing question several times and not one of the supporters of his decision have come up with an answer. Let me make it clear: it was the kind of thing only a wimp or a poseur would do.

Edited October 14, 2017 by ilostmypassword