Merkel: The US decision to withdraw from the JCPOA undermines trust in the global order

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, criticized the US government's decision to withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran, stating that this decision undermines the principle of trust in the global order. In remarks made on Friday, May 10, she emphasized that although the JCPOA falls short of ideals, it should not be unilaterally revoked since it was approved by the United Nations Security Council. Speaking at a Catholic gathering for peace in the city of Münster, she added that dialogue with Iran is necessary to determine how to preserve the JCPOA. A day before this speech, Merkel assured Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone call that Berlin would remain committed to the agreement as long as Tehran adheres to it. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that Merkel also had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, where the preservation of the nuclear agreement was a main topic. According to the Kremlin, Merkel will visit Russia next Friday to discuss the US withdrawal from the JCPOA with Putin. The Kremlin also announced that Putin will meet with Yukiya Amano, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in the coastal city of Sochi on Monday. Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian President, stated that Moscow is trying to convince Iran not to exit the JCPOA. Previously, Hassan Rouhani had stipulated that Tehran must receive guarantees from the other parties to the agreement that its interests will be secured in order to continue its commitment to the JCPOA. Rouhani stated, "In the coming weeks, we will conduct necessary consultations and coordination with European countries, Russia, and China. If we conclude at the end of this short period that we can achieve what benefits the Iranian nation with the cooperation of the five member countries of the JCPOA, the JCPOA will remain sustainable... But if we find that this is not the case, I will inform the people of Iran of our position in a conversation with them." Donald Trump, who has opposed the nuclear agreement with Iran since its inception, promised during his election campaign that he would cancel it if he won, which he ultimately did on Tuesday this week. The US believes that Iran is not trustworthy due to its missile program and destabilizing behaviors in the region, although Trump expressed hope a few days after announcing the withdrawal from the JCPOA that his country would reach a new and fair agreement with Iran that would be good for both the US and Iran. In this context, France stated that it would present new proposals regarding the JCPOA. The European reaction to Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA continues, with the French Foreign Minister criticizing the return of US sanctions against Iran and Trump expressing hope for a new agreement with Iran. A meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran, Britain, Germany, and France is scheduled for next week in Brussels. Merkel assured Rouhani that as long as Iran remains committed to the JCPOA, Germany will also remain committed. The European Union is making comprehensive efforts to preserve the nuclear agreement with Iran. Trump has withdrawn the US from the JCPOA and is reinstating sanctions against Iran.