Mattis: The US Government Has Not Yet Made a Decision to Withdraw from the JCPOA

James Mattis, the US Secretary of Defense, emphasized the value of certain aspects of the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, known as the JCPOA, stating on Thursday, April 25, that Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision regarding this agreement and discussions about the amendability of the JCPOA are ongoing within the government. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has set a deadline of May 12 for the 'flaws of the JCPOA' to be corrected; otherwise, he will not extend the suspension of sanctions against Iran as per the JCPOA. However, US officials stated yesterday that negotiations between the US and three European countries are underway to provide supplementary agreements aimed at addressing the 'shortcomings of the JCPOA.' According to the Associated Press, Mattis, speaking at a meeting with members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, mentioned that he has read the text of the nuclear agreement with Iran three times and was surprised by the extent and comprehensiveness of the verifications of Iran's nuclear program. He further noted that when he became Secretary of Defense, he also read the classified protocol of this agreement. Regarding the JCPOA, Mattis stated, 'I can say that this agreement was prepared on the assumption that Iran would cheat. Therefore, verifications are embedded in it that allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to comprehensively assess Iran's compliance.' In response to a question from a US senator about the JCPOA, Mattis remarked that whether the JCPOA is sufficient or not is a pertinent question. He also mentioned that the US government is still reviewing the nuclear agreement with Iran and whether this agreement has the capacity for amendments that could convince Donald Trump to remain in it. He clarified that these consultations are ongoing and no decision has been made yet. Mattis expressed concern about Iran's activities in the region, particularly its support for Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria and the Houthi Shiite militants in Yemen. Meanwhile, some European diplomats say that the UK, France, and Germany are nearing the stage of preserving the nuclear agreement with Iran; the discussion is not about a 'new agreement' with Iran, but rather about a 'supplement' that could keep Donald Trump satisfied. However, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, currently in Washington, stated at George Washington University that he believes Trump will extricate himself from this agreement for domestic considerations.