Trump Administration Officials: The U.S. Seeks a Supplementary Agreement with Iran

Two officials from Donald Trump's administration, responsible for the nuclear agreement with Iran, state that Washington is not looking to renegotiate or change the JCPOA but aims to reach supplementary agreements with Tehran to "address shortcomings." According to Reuters, Christopher Ford, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, stated on April 24 that "we do not want to reopen or renegotiate the JCPOA or change anything in it." Ford added that what his administration seeks is "a supplementary agreement" with Iran that includes "more directives, rules, and limitations." Another U.S. official making similar statements is Brian Hook, the State Department's Director of Policy Planning and negotiator for the review of the nuclear agreement. NPR quoted Hook as saying that his administration's goal is "a supplementary agreement" that encompasses more restrictions and "addresses many of the problems we have with the current agreement." Hook told NPR, "It is common for an agreement to be improved or for a supplementary agreement to be added to it." Christopher Ford also mentioned, "If we can get through the current challenge and rally our allies... President Trump has assured that his decision to stop the suspension of sanctions on Iran is reversible." The last time Donald Trump ordered the suspension of sanctions related to the nuclear agreement, he emphasized that negotiating parties with Iran have until May 11 to correct the "deficiencies of the JCPOA"; otherwise, he would not extend the suspension of Iran's sanctions. Trump's four conditions for remaining in the nuclear agreement include "immediate access" for international inspectors to all sites and facilities in Iran, making nuclear restrictions permanent, guaranteeing no approach to nuclear weapons, and limiting Iran's ballistic missile program. On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated in an interview with the Associated Press that if the U.S. withdraws from the JCPOA, Iran may exit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Meanwhile, several European diplomats say that the three countries of Britain, France, and Germany are close to maintaining the nuclear agreement with Iran; the discussion is not about "a new agreement with Iran," but rather "an agreement that can satisfy Donald Trump." However, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, currently in Washington, stated at George Washington University, "I think he [Donald Trump] will free himself from this agreement for domestic reasons." Iran has rejected renegotiation of the nuclear agreement. The Islamic Republic claims its missile program is "defensive" and "will continue." Tehran has yet to respond directly to the statements of U.S. officials and the quotes from European officials.