Trump and Macron Discuss 'JCPOA' and Iran's Destabilizing Activities in the Region

The White House announced on Thursday, January 21, that Donald Trump, the President of the United States, requested the cessation of Iran's destabilizing activities in the region during a phone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. The French presidency also stated that Macron emphasized the necessity for all parties to adhere to the Iran nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA. The Élysée Palace reported that Macron reiterated France's commitment to the precise implementation of this agreement and the importance of compliance by all signatory parties. Meanwhile, the White House stated that Trump emphasized that Iran 'must stop its destabilizing activities in the region.' Trump has been a critic of the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, describing it as the 'worst' deal in U.S. history. U.S. officials say that Trump is expected to announce his decision on Friday regarding the extension or non-extension of the suspension of nuclear sanctions against Iran, which occurs every 120 days. The U.S. President had previously extended the suspension of these sanctions on September 14 of this year. In 2015, Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., the UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany, reached an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program. According to congressional legislation, the U.S. President must report to Congress every 90 days on Iran's compliance with the JCPOA. Trump refrained from confirming Iran's compliance during the deadline in October of this year. U.S. officials claim that this agreement has significant flaws and does not address Iran's destabilizing actions and behaviors in the region. They particularly point to Iran's ballistic missile program and its support for the Syrian government and groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas, and the Houthis in Yemen. Meanwhile, the French President had previously called for new elements to be added to this agreement to address concerns while emphasizing the precise implementation of the JCPOA. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Foreign Minister, also stated in November that Paris is concerned about Iran's 'interventions' and 'expansionist' intentions in the region. In this context, Trump has reiterated his criticism of the JCPOA during recent protests in Iran, stating that the money gained from this agreement has been spent on terrorism and Iran's adventures in the Middle East rather than benefiting the Iranian people. However, ahead of the U.S. government's announcement regarding the suspension of sanctions against Iran, American senators and officials from Trump's administration have recently attempted to reach an agreement on a plan that would intensify restrictions on Tehran while maintaining the nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization, and Abbas Araghchi, the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic, warned earlier this week about the potential U.S. exit from the JCPOA to the 'international community' and the 'International Atomic Energy Agency.'