Johnson Urges Trump to Remain in the JCPOA

Boris Johnson, the UK Foreign Secretary, said on Monday, "There is no doubt that the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, the JCPOA, will continue." He urged the US President to adhere to the JCPOA. Mr. Johnson addressed the US President, saying, "Consider what nightmare this agreement has prevented." Donald Trump, just days after announcing his new strategy regarding Iran and the nuclear agreement, stated that he is taking necessary action in this regard and that a complete termination of the nuclear agreement is a "very real possibility." In a speech at the Chatham House think tank, Mr. Johnson said that despite the US President's decision regarding the JCPOA, the West must show Tehran that its adherence to the JCPOA will be beneficial for it. Mr. Johnson added that the nuclear agreement was vital as Iran was only months away from acquiring a nuclear bomb. The JCPOA was signed in July 2015 between Iran and six world powers, suspending many of Tehran's nuclear activities and reducing or lifting international sanctions against Iran. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump and his administration view Iran's "destabilizing behaviors" as evidence of Tehran's non-compliance with an agreement that was supposed to lead to Iran's participation in regional and global peace and stability. Iran rejects the US accusations of interference in the region and engaging in destabilizing actions. Since Donald Trump's administration took office, the US government has twice confirmed Iran's compliance with the JCPOA provisions, but Mr. Trump refused to confirm the third time on October 14, accusing Tehran of not adhering to the "spirit of the JCPOA." Tehran has in turn accused the US of repeatedly violating the JCPOA.