Trump Withdraws the U.S. from the JCPOA and Reinstates Sanctions on Iran

On Tuesday, May 8, the President of the United States officially announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran and reinstate suspended sanctions against Tehran. Donald Trump began his speech, broadcast live on various news networks, stating: "American people, today I want to update the world on our efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons." He continued, saying: "The Iranian regime is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. It exports dangerous missiles, pours gasoline on the fire of conflict throughout the Middle East, and supports terrorist groups and militias such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and Al-Qaeda." The U.S. President added: "Iran and its agents have targeted U.S. embassies and military bases for bombings over the years, killing hundreds of American forces and kidnapping, torturing, and imprisoning American citizens. The Iranian regime has long funded its chaotic and terroristic governance by plundering the wealth of its own people." Trump stated: "None of the actions taken by the regime are as dangerous as its move towards building nuclear weapons and the means to use them." Although the U.S. accuses Iran of moving towards nuclear weapons, Tehran has denied this claim, stating that its nuclear activities are peaceful and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The U.S. President said: "In 2015, the previous administration joined other nations to reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear program. This agreement became known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)." He added: "In theory, the nuclear agreement or 'Iran deal' was supposed to protect the U.S. and its allies from the madness of Iran's nuclear bomb, a weapon that only threatens the survival of the Iranian regime. In reality, this agreement allowed Iran to pursue uranium enrichment and gradually reach the threshold of building a nuclear bomb." After two years of intense negotiations, Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., reached a comprehensive agreement in July 2015 to resolve Tehran's nuclear program, which not only halted some of Iran's nuclear activities but also suspended many U.S. and UN Security Council sanctions against Tehran. Donald Trump has been a staunch opponent of this agreement since his presidential campaign in 2016, describing it as "the worst deal ever." On Tuesday, he stated: "This agreement lifted crippling sanctions off Iran and, in return, imposed some weak limitations on the regime's nuclear activities, without placing any limitations on its other malign activities, including its evil actions in Syria, Yemen, and elsewhere around the world." Since the JCPOA negotiations, Iranian officials have stated that these negotiations were solely about nuclear activities and did not cover other issues. The U.S. President added: "In other words, at a time when the United States had the highest leverage, this catastrophic agreement gave this regime – and it is a major terrorist regime – billions of dollars. Some of it was in cash – a great shame for me as a citizen and for all citizens of the United States." Trump said: "At that time, a constructive agreement could have easily been reached, but it was not. At the heart of the Iran agreement lies a great myth that says a murderous regime only wants a peaceful nuclear program." He added: "Today, we have conclusive evidence that everything Iran has promised has been a lie. Last week, Israel released intelligence documents that had long been hidden by Iran, all of which demonstrate the regime's intent and history in pursuing nuclear weapons." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a press conference last week, showing some documents and a CD, that Iran has been seeking to build a nuclear bomb. Donald Trump stated: "The reality is that this is a very bad and one-sided agreement that should never have been signed. This deal brought neither calm nor peace and will never do so." He added: "During the years this agreement has been in effect, Iran's military budget has increased by about 40 percent while the country's economy is in very bad shape. After the lifting of sanctions, the dictatorship (of Iran) used the newly acquired money to build missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, support terrorism, and create chaos throughout the Middle East and beyond." The U.S. President added: "The negotiation for this deal was so bad that even if Iran fully complied, the regime would be able to achieve nuclear weapons in a short time. The 'sunset clause' in this deal is unacceptable. If I allow this deal to remain in effect, soon there will be an arms race in the Middle East. Everyone will want to have their weapons when Iran gets its hands on them." Alongside the U.S. President, Israel and Saudi Arabia are also serious opponents of the nuclear agreement with Iran. Donald Trump stated: "Worse yet, the conditions set in this agreement for inspection and prevention mechanisms, for being alerted and punishing cheating, do not even provide sufficient rights to inspect many important sites, including military facilities." He added: "Not only does this agreement not prevent Iran's nuclear ambitions, but it cannot even address the issue of the regime's expansion and acquisition of ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads." The U.S. President said: "And finally, this agreement has no restrictive provisions for Iran's destabilizing actions in the region, including support for terrorism. Since this agreement was reached, Iran's bloody ambitions have only grown bolder and more audacious." He continued: "In light of these fundamental flaws, I announced last October that either the nuclear agreement with Iran must be renegotiated or it must be terminated." The U.S. President stated: "Three months later, on January 12, I reiterated these conditions. I clearly stated that if this agreement is not corrected, the United States can no longer be a part of it." Trump added: "In recent months, we have had extensive negotiations with our allies and partners around the world, including France, Germany, and the UK. We have also consulted with our friends in the Middle East. Everyone agrees on the understanding of the Iranian threat and all believe that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons." In recent weeks, leaders from France and Germany traveled to Washington to negotiate the future of the JCPOA. Additionally, last month, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia made an official visit to the U.S. Donald Trump stated: "After these consultations, it is clear to me that we cannot prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb under this corrupt and decayed structure of the current agreement." The U.S. President said: "The agreement with Iran is fundamentally flawed and defective. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen. In a short time, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism will be on the verge of obtaining the most dangerous weapons in the world." Trump stated: "As a result, I announce that today, the United States is withdrawing from the nuclear agreement with Iran." He added: "In just a moment, I will sign and issue a presidential order that reinstates U.S. sanctions against the Iranian regime. We will impose the highest level of economic sanctions. Any country that helps Iran in its pursuit of nuclear weapons will also be strongly sanctioned by the United States." Donald Trump stated: "America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be put at risk of destruction. And we will not allow a regime that chants 'Death to America' to obtain the most dangerous weapon on Earth." He added: "What we do today sends a clear message: the United States no longer makes hollow threats. When I make a promise, I keep it. In fact, at this very moment, Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State, is on his way to North Korea to finalize the arrangements for my meeting with Kim Jong Un. Plans are being designed. Communications are established. We hope to reach an agreement that, with the help of China, South Korea, and Japan, will lead to a good and successful future with security for all." Donald Trump stated: "As we withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran, we will work with our allies to find a real, comprehensive, and sustainable solution to the Iranian nuclear threat. This includes finding a way to end the threat of Iran's ballistic missile program; to end its terrorist activities around the world; and to end its malign activities throughout the Middle East. For now, however, powerful sanctions will all be reinstated. If Iran continues its nuclear ambitions, it will face a much bigger problem than it has ever faced before." Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, previously stated: "Russia and China will prevent any subversive action against the JCPOA." The U.S. President continued: "And finally, I want to send a message to the people of Iran who have long been suffering: the American people stand with you. For nearly 40 years, a dictatorship has seized power in Iran and taken a proud nation like yours hostage. More than 80 million citizens of Iran unfortunately do not remember an Iran that lives in peace with its neighbors and has the admiration of the world with it." He added: "But the future of Iran belongs to its people. They are the true heirs of a rich culture and an ancient land. And they deserve to be a nation worthy of their dreams, their pride, their history, and the greatness of their God." Donald Trump stated: "Naturally, the leaders of Iran will say that they are not willing to negotiate for a new agreement; they will refuse. And that is not a problem. If I were in their place, I might say the same. But the reality is that they should be willing to reach a sustainable agreement, one that is in the interest of all of Iran and its people. If they reach that point, I am ready, willing, and determined to do so." Mohammad Javad Zarif previously stated that Iran would neither renegotiate the JCPOA nor enter negotiations on other matters. Iranian officials have previously stated that they have "examined the necessary preparations for the U.S. exit from the JCPOA" and are ready. No further details have been announced on this matter. Donald Trump added: "Many good things can happen for Iran, and many good things can happen for the peace and stability we all want in the Middle East. Enough suffering, death, and destruction have occurred. Let us end that right now." A reporter asked Trump twice: "Mr. President, how can this action enhance America's security?" to which Trump replied: "Thank you very much. It will keep America much safer." He was asked again: "Will Mike Pompeo bring the prisoners back?" Trump replied: "Thank you. The Secretary of State is currently on his way to North Korea. Very soon, in about an hour, he will arrive there. Meetings are planned for him. Our meeting schedules have been set, and everything is clear. The location has also been chosen – as well as the time and date. Everything is set, and we are waiting to achieve a great success. We think we are establishing a relationship with North Korea. We will see how it goes. Maybe it will work, maybe not. But it could be something big for North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and the entire world. We hope everything goes well." When asked if the prisoners would come home, he said while leaving the hall: "We will find out very soon. We will find out very soon. If they are freed, that would be great. We will know very soon. Thank you very much."