Moscow: The US has made its decision to withdraw from the JCPOA

In response to Donald Trump's recent action regarding the JCPOA, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia expressed concern on Saturday, January 13, stating that Moscow believes the US had previously made its decision regarding withdrawal from the JCPOA. Moscow also described these actions as similar to an 'ultimatum' and characterized them as 'completely contrary to the principles of international relations.' Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated on Friday that he extended the suspension of nuclear sanctions against Iran 'for the last time' and expressed a desire to amend the agreement known as the JCPOA with Iran. On the same day, the US Treasury Department continued its unilateral sanctions against the Islamic Republic, sanctioning 14 individuals and entities, including Sadegh Larijani, the head of the judiciary. In the first reaction to this condition set by the US, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, emphasized hours after the suspension of sanctions that the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six world powers is not negotiable. Russia, as a member of the P5+1 group that signed the JCPOA with Iran, reacted to the Trump administration's actions by calling Washington's statements and decisions on Friday a cause for 'serious concern.' Sergey Ryabkov, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, stated on Saturday: 'We are gradually coming to the conclusion that the US has already made its decision to withdraw from the JCPOA or is close to doing so.' According to Mr. Ryabkov, the actions taken by the US on Friday resembled more of an 'ultimatum,' and 'I see no invitation to Iran for dialogue in what was said yesterday.' The Russian news agency Interfax reported that Mr. Ryabkov also mentioned that the decision to withdraw from the JCPOA 'could be one of Washington's biggest mistakes in foreign policy.' Since his election campaign in 2016, Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his opposition to the JCPOA, calling it 'one of the worst' agreements. On Friday, Trump also warned that 'either the catastrophic flaws of this agreement must be corrected, or the United States will withdraw from this agreement.' Trump further emphasized that any resolution from Congress must state that 'long-range missile programs and nuclear weapons programs are inseparable, and the development and testing of missiles by Iran must be subject to strict sanctions.' The Trump administration and its supporters argue that the Islamic Republic of Iran is, through its missile tests and activities in the region, including in Syria and Yemen, not adhering to the 'spirit of the JCPOA.' The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia emphasized in his interview with Interfax that Russia will 'do whatever is necessary to preserve the JCPOA.' Mr. Ryabkov also urged other members of the P5+1 group, including China and other supporters of the nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic, to 'do as much as they can' in this regard. Since the murmurs of the US President's opposition to the JCPOA began, Europeans have launched a campaign and insisted on their support for this agreement in Europe and the US.