Tillerson: The U.S. is Reviewing Its Policies Towards Iran

Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated on Wednesday, April 19, that Washington is conducting a comprehensive review of its policies towards Iran. Tillerson began his remarks by highlighting Iran's dangerous and provocative actions in spreading terror and violence simultaneously in multiple countries (in the Middle East). He added that Iran is the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism and is responsible for escalating conflicts in several countries such as Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon, which harm U.S. interests. The country continues to support attacks on Israel. According to Reuters, the U.S. Secretary of State also stated that an unchecked Iran has the capacity to follow North Korea's path. Speaking to reporters at the State Department in Washington, Tillerson said that a comprehensive review of policies towards Iran requires considering and responding to all threats posed by this country to the region and the world. He also mentioned that the nuclear agreement with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has 'failed' to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Tillerson emphasized that this agreement has 'only' delayed Iran's access to nuclear weapons. He further stated that the mistake made during the negotiation of the nuclear agreement with Iran was that all other serious threats posed by Iran, aside from the nuclear threat, were ignored. Tillerson stressed that for this reason, we must approach Iran from a comprehensive perspective, addressing all threats posed by Iran to the region and the world. Referring to the nuclear agreement with Iran, he stated that this agreement symbolizes a failed past approach that has now left us facing the imminent threat posed by North Korea. In this context, Sean Spicer, the White House spokesperson, said on Wednesday that recommendations regarding Iran will be provided to President Donald Trump during the review of the JCPOA by U.S. agencies. It has been previously reported that Trump has instructed sub-agencies of the National Security Council to assess the implications of the nuclear agreement with Iran and determine whether the reduction of nuclear sanctions against Iran aligns with U.S. national security interests. According to Reuters, the White House spokesperson, in response to a question about whether Trump has made a decision regarding withdrawing from the nuclear agreement with Iran, stated that the 90-day review mentioned on Tuesday will provide recommendations regarding the future path. Iran and six world powers reached an agreement in 2015 to end Tehran's nuclear dispute, under which the Islamic Republic would limit its nuclear activities in exchange for a reduction in international nuclear sanctions against Iran. The JCPOA was implemented at the beginning of 2016, and the administration of former President Barack Obama referred to this agreement as one of its achievements. However, Donald Trump labeled this agreement as one of the 'worst' deals during his 2016 election campaign. Meanwhile, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, had previously warned that if the JCPOA is violated by the U.S., he would take reciprocal actions. Meanwhile, reporters asked the White House spokesperson about the consequences of intensified sanctions against Iran and the possible violation of the JCPOA. Spicer responded that they are well aware of the potentially negative effects of any actions in this regard. He added that regardless of whether an action is economic, political, or military, one always assesses the consequences of such an action. A reporter asked the White House spokesperson if Trump is concerned about Iran's cheating on the nuclear agreement. Sean Spicer replied that one of the reasons for conducting this review was precisely this. The President would not have ordered this review if he thought everything was working correctly. The White House spokesperson added that part of this review would include whether Iran is properly implementing and adhering to the agreement and also provide recommendations regarding the future path to the President. On Tuesday, Rex Tillerson wrote in a letter to Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, that Trump has instructed several sub-agencies of the National Security Council to assess the implications of the nuclear agreement with Iran and whether the reduction of nuclear sanctions against Iran aligns with U.S. national security interests. Tillerson noted in his letter that Iran has complied with the provisions of the JCPOA so far but emphasized that concerns about Iran's role as a 'state sponsor of terrorism' remain. In this context, Donald Trump is 'evaluating the benefit of the JCPOA for U.S. security.' The U.S. Treasury Secretary announced that non-nuclear sanctions against Iran will be increased. Iran has once again protested against Britain's 'breach of promise' regarding the import of yellowcake. The changing battlefield of 'proxy wars'; the war against the people in the streets of Iran. 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