Putin Expresses Deep Concern Following US Withdrawal from JCPOA

The Kremlin states that the President of Russia has expressed 'deep concern' regarding the United States' withdrawal from the nuclear agreement. The state news agency TASS also reports that Putin discussed this issue with members of his government’s Security Council. On May 8, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced during a speech that his administration would withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran and reinstate suspended sanctions against Tehran. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic also reacted by stating, 'I have repeatedly said from day one, do not trust America.' The US exit from the JCPOA sparked widespread reactions both within the United States and in other countries around the world. On May 9, one day after Trump's announcement, Vladimir Putin warned about the 'fragility of the world.' Concurrently, the news agency RIA Novosti quoted Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, stating that Russia would remain committed to the nuclear agreement and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The state news agency TASS also reported that Putin discussed the US withdrawal from the JCPOA and the situation in Syria with members of his National Security Council on Wednesday. Shortly after Trump's speech regarding the withdrawal from the JCPOA, reports emerged that Israel had 'attacked' a base in Syria, resulting in the deaths of 'at least eight Iranians' during the Israeli-claimed attack. The Israeli army also announced on May 10 that Iranian forces had launched about 20 missiles and rockets towards Israeli positions in the Golan border from the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. According to TASS, during the meeting between Putin and members of the Russian Security Council, the situation regarding the JCPOA, the US decision to withdraw from it, and the situation in Russia, including the Israeli night attack, were discussed. Dmitry Peskov, the deputy spokesman for the Kremlin, stated that 'it was in connection with these issues that Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, exchanged views.' Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu met in Moscow on Wednesday. Reports indicate that Netanyahu reiterated Israel's 'right' to defend its sovereignty against what he described as 'Iranian aggression from Syrian territory.' Prior to this meeting, Putin had told reporters that 'the situation in Syria is dire' and added that he intended to discuss regional problems and find solutions with the Israeli Prime Minister.