Rouhani's Strong Criticism of Any 'New Agreement' Related to the JCPOA

Less than 24 hours after discussions between the leaders of the United States and France regarding the possibility of a new agreement concerning Iran, Hassan Rouhani criticized Donald Trump, stating: "By what authority do you decide on a seven-party contract?" Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, speaking in Tabriz on Wednesday, April 24, referred to Donald Trump as "a merchant, a builder, and a tower constructor" who has "no grasp of politics and law." Donald Trump has repeatedly called the nuclear agreement with Iran "the worst deal possible" and has cited issues such as the lack of restrictions on ballistic missile activities, the "sunset clause" of the JCPOA, and the inspection processes as its shortcomings. On Tuesday, during a meeting with his French counterpart, Trump again labeled the agreement as "a disaster" and emphasized that if Iran resumes its nuclear program, it will face "greater problems" than before. Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, stated that the purpose of his visit to the U.S. was to convince Trump to remain in the JCPOA while also discussing "halting Iran's ballistic missile activities" and "containing Iran in the region." However, Rouhani strongly criticized the idea of any "new contract," saying: "First, implement what you signed, as your former president and foreign minister said, then talk about new issues." Trump's deadline regarding the future of the nuclear agreement is approaching on May 11. On Tuesday, while welcoming proposals from his French counterpart, Trump refrained from stating the U.S. position on whether to exit or remain in the JCPOA. He had previously indicated that he would no longer certify the JCPOA, which would mean a return of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Meanwhile, Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, emphasized Europe's commitment to the JCPOA, describing it as "an effective agreement to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons." Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning before entering the "Syria Peace Talks" hall in Brussels, Mogherini remarked on the discussions between Trump and Macron: "We will see what may happen in the future. But for now, there is an effective agreement that needs to be preserved." Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, a serious critic of the nuclear agreement with Iran, had asked Trump last September to take action regarding the "sunset clause" of the JCPOA. According to the "sunset clause," Iran can increase its enrichment centrifuges after ten years and is allowed to increase its stock of less-enriched uranium after fifteen years. Netanyahu has emphasized that Israel seeks the removal of problematic provisions of the JCPOA, whether through reform or cancellation. On the other hand, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, stated in an interview published by the Associated Press on Wednesday that if the U.S. exits the JCPOA, Iran may withdraw from the NPT.