Statements by U.S. State Department Official on Withdrawal from JCPOA

Andrew Peek, Deputy Director of the Office of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. State Department, answered questions in an interview with the Persian section of "Voice of America" regarding the reasons for Donald Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA and the future ahead. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced during a speech on May 8 that his administration would withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran and reinstate suspended sanctions against Tehran. Andrew Peek told "Voice of America" that Trump was "seeking a way to create security in America and counter Iran's activities; Iran is a factor of instability in Syria, Yemen, and other countries. These actions and the temporary security measures of the JCPOA regarding Iran's nuclear program were reasons for the U.S. government to exit the nuclear agreement and create conditions to address Tehran's concerning activities." The Islamic Republic denies interference in the affairs of other countries. Iran and Russia are the main supporters of Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war, both claiming they entered the Syrian campaign at the request of the Damascus government to "fight against terrorism." Tehran's presence and expanding influence in Syria have led to increased Israeli attacks on "Syrian Iranian" targets. The U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement occurred while Washington's European allies were trying to keep the U.S. in the JCPOA in recent weeks. Mr. Peek stated that the U.S. government was "constantly in contact with European allies" and was aligned with them and other allies in the Middle East. European leaders, who have criticized Iran's activities in the region and the development of the Islamic Republic's missile program, have emphasized the necessity and benefits of maintaining the nuclear agreement. Andrew Peek, regarding economic ties and cooperation between Europe and Iran, said his government "encourages its European allies to reduce investments in Iran." Mr. Peek added, "Given the extensive influence of the Revolutionary Guards in the economic sphere and the amount of money spent on negative activities [by Iran] abroad, we are trying to tell Europeans that their economic decisions create major problems, as they empower the Iranian regime." Yesterday, Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, harshly criticized Donald Trump, calling for guarantees from Europeans to remain in the JCPOA. In part of his speech, Mr. Khamenei stated, "Now they raise the issue of Iran's presence in the region and the issue of missiles; if we accept these, they will start another issue." The leader of the Islamic Republic's reference is to potential negotiations beyond Tehran's nuclear program. Andrew Peek stated, "We do not believe the Iranian government is seeking negotiations, specifically regarding its activities in the region, and that is the reason we exited the JCPOA; as it gives us leverage, and consequently, we can negotiate beyond nuclear activities and discuss regional issues." Tehran has rejected negotiations over issues such as its missile program or renegotiating the nuclear agreement. Mr. Peek, in another part of his interview, stated that the President of the United States emphasized that the U.S. stands with the people of Iran. He also criticized the human rights situation and the disruption of access to free information in Iran.