Associated Press Report on Draft Legislation in Congress Following Non-Confirmation of the JCPOA

The Associated Press reports that it has seen a draft proposal designed in the U.S. Congress aimed at imposing restrictions on Tehran following Donald Trump's new strategy regarding Iran and the non-confirmation of the country's compliance with the JCPOA. On October 20, the Associated Press reported that sanctions against Iran would be initiated if Tehran violates new restrictions. The draft proposal was prepared by Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican Senator Tom Cotton, considering the Trump administration's concerns. According to the Associated Press, if this draft becomes law, it would not inherently violate the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers reached two years ago, but it would pursue parallel actions that could ultimately put this agreement on the brink of collapse by raising demands that were not previously agreed upon. Under this draft, Iran would be described as violating the JCPOA if it breaches certain provisions and could be targeted by sanctions. The Associated Press has published a list of some of these provisions: testing, manufacturing, or developing intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying warheads, including any attempts to convert tools or satellite launch vehicles into intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as any activities to secretly procure nuclear materials or equipment capable of producing such materials from outside Iran. The draft also addresses other issues that have raised concerns for the Trump administration in recent weeks; one of the main issues is the 'sunset' clause in the nuclear agreement, meaning restrictions that are supposed to be gradually lifted ten years after the nuclear agreement, which has fueled concerns that 'Iran could even achieve the capability to build nuclear weapons before the end of the agreement.' Tehran has consistently emphasized that it is not seeking to build nuclear weapons. The Associated Press states that this draft aims to create permanent regulations and standards regarding issues such as uranium enrichment and its stockpiles, as well as the operation of certain centrifuges. In this proposal, Iran's refusal to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors 'sufficient access to any site, including military sites' could be interpreted as a violation of the JCPOA by Tehran. The International Atomic Energy Agency has so far confirmed Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement. The Associated Press notes that the preparation of this draft likely fulfills Trump's and his administration's request from Congress to amend and provide immediate alternatives to existing laws following the nuclear agreement between the Obama administration, France, Britain, Germany, China, Russia, and Iran. This proposal has not yet been presented to lawmakers. The Associated Press reports that Senate Democrats have stated they will oppose any efforts to rewrite or prevent the implementation of the existing nuclear agreement that would block Iran's access to currently lifted sanctions. Republicans in the Senate (2017-2019) hold a majority with 52 out of 100 seats. Democrats could use 'filibuster' to prevent or delay voting. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced his administration's new strategy towards Tehran on October 13 during a highly anticipated speech. He has been a staunch opponent of the nuclear agreement and the JCPOA both during the election campaign and after winning the presidency, stating in his speech that he cannot confirm Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement. The U.S. government must provide a report to Congress every 90 days on Iran's implementation or non-implementation of the JCPOA. Mr. Trump has effectively refrained from confirming this matter, thus delegating the decision on whether to reinstate or impose sanctions against Iran to Congress. However, since the nuclear agreement is not solely between Iran and the U.S., but also involves five other countries and has a resolution supporting it passed in the UN Security Council, Washington cannot unilaterally dismantle it. All other negotiating parties with Iran have supported the agreement and have repeatedly urged Mr. Trump's administration not to withdraw. The Israeli government, one of the United States' key allies, has repeatedly expressed concern about Iran's activities and has called for the cancellation or amendment of the nuclear agreement. European governments supporting the nuclear agreement have criticized Iran's missile tests. Iran claims these tests are defensive. The Associated Press also states in its report that Trump cannot unilaterally cancel the nuclear agreement, but withdrawing the U.S. from its implementation would render the 'JCPOA' meaningless. One day before the Associated Press report, Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that the President's goal in presenting a new strategy towards Iran is not to interfere with or disrupt European trade relations with Tehran. The U.S. government claims that Iran has violated the spirit of the JCPOA with some of its activities, including ballistic missile tests or its 'destabilizing' actions in the region. Tehran asserts that its missile tests do not contradict the JCPOA and will continue, while also accusing the U.S. of violating the spirit of the JCPOA. Donald Trump claims the nuclear agreement has not benefited the U.S. and has only benefited Iran. Tehran, on the other hand, states that it continues to face 'obstruction' from Washington in achieving the benefits arising from the nuclear agreement. The nuclear agreement was reached in July 2015. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action has limited Iran's nuclear activities while lifting nuclear sanctions against Tehran.