Australia: We Will Review and Reassess Our Support for the JCPOA

Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister of Australia, stated on Tuesday morning, October 16, that his government will review and reassess its support for the nuclear agreement with Iran. Morrison mentioned that the purpose of this review is to determine whether 'current policies are appropriate to achieve the goal or not.' These remarks coincided with Morrison's comments regarding the potential relocation of Australia's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Prime Minister's office also stated on Tuesday that 'Australia intends to review and reassess its approach to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) without prejudice, to determine whether our current policies are suitable for achieving the intended goals.' The statement further noted, 'The aim of this review is to clarify whether this agreement (the nuclear deal with Iran) is the best tool for addressing international concerns regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions.' The Australian government indicated that it would announce its final position on this matter in December (in two months). These statements come at a time when Marise Payne, Australia's Foreign Minister, emphasized her government's support for the nuclear agreement with Iran two weeks ago in her speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Payne stated, 'Australia supports the JCPOA as long as Iran adheres to its commitments. Maintaining control over Iran's nuclear program is in our collective interests.' Donald Trump, a staunch critic of the nuclear agreement, withdrew his administration from the deal last spring, reinstated the first round of U.S. sanctions against Iran in August, and intends to reinstate the second round of sanctions in November. Michael Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, recently stated that the Trump administration has launched a 'historic and international campaign' to exert political and diplomatic pressure on the Islamic Republic. The United States claims that Iran must change its behavior and return to the negotiating table for a new agreement. However, the Iranian President asserts that the U.S. aims to create 'psychological and economic warfare' to change the Iranian regime 'by delegitimizing' it. The other parties to the nuclear agreement, namely the three European powers, Germany, France, and the UK, the European Union, as well as Russia and China, remain committed to the nuclear deal with Iran. The Australian government, in its statement on Tuesday, affirmed that the country is 'committed to constructive engagement with Iran.' Another issue raised in the Prime Minister's remarks and the statement released by his government on Tuesday is the topic of Australia's embassy in Israel. Scott Morrison stated that Canberra is weighing the option of relocating its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The U.S. President, on Wednesday, December 6, recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel despite significant opposition from many of his allies in the region and the West. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, described this move as a 'historic' act and stated it is 'an important step towards peace.' The Australian government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to the two-state solution, with the final decision depending on the implications for the national interests of the country.