Russia Criticizes Trump's Demands Regarding the JCPOA; Germany Seeks More Details

On Monday, January 15, Russia strongly criticized the Trump administration's plan to revise the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), while Germany stated that it is seeking more details on the U.S. demands and will evaluate them with its European partners. Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, warned that Moscow would not support the U.S. request to make changes to the nuclear agreement with Iran and the six global powers, established in July 2015. Under this agreement, Iran agreed to halt many of its nuclear activities, including the 20% enrichment of uranium, in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions against Tehran. Donald Trump, the U.S. President, stated on Friday, January 12, that he would agree to suspend nuclear sanctions 'for the last time' to ensure that its flaws are corrected by European allies. He expressed readiness to work on a bipartisan resolution and outlined four components for Congress to sign, which include: 'immediate inspections of all facilities requested by international inspectors in Iran; ensuring Iran does not approach nuclear weapons; making Iran's limitations in the nuclear agreement permanent; and finally, that Tehran's ballistic missile program and nuclear weapons are inseparable.' The U.S. government must announce its decision on whether to continue the suspension of nuclear sanctions against Iran or reinstate them in less than 120 days. In his remarks on Monday in Moscow, Lavrov described Washington's demands for amending the JCPOA as 'pathetic' and stated that such actions create doubts about the U.S. commitment to international agreements. He emphasized Russia's intention to preserve the JCPOA, saying, 'The collapse of the comprehensive nuclear agreement would also harm dialogue with North Korea, as if North Korea sees that the nuclear agreement with Iran is not being implemented, it will not be willing to agree on its nuclear activities.' Lavrov stated, 'Russia does not support changing the wording of the agreement or adding provisions that would be completely unacceptable for Iran.' The U.S. President mentioned on Friday that he would work with his European partners to eliminate the so-called 'sunset clause,' which allows Iran to resume advanced nuclear activities in the next decade and removes the imposed restrictions on this program. The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on January 13 that it would accept 'no changes' to the JCPOA now or in the future. European countries have said they are willing to discuss this issue with Washington but have not shown much enthusiasm for pursuing the Trump administration's policy regarding the JCPOA. Steffen Seibert, spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, emphasized on Monday that Berlin will remain loyal to the JCPOA. He stated that Germany will evaluate this matter with its European partners. Maria Adebahr, spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry, also mentioned that European officials are set to meet with American counterparts to 'see what the goal and request in Mr. Trump's statements were.' She added that it seems Trump's statements are primarily directed at the U.S. Congress. 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.'