Trump's National Security Advisor: Iran is Not a Trustworthy Government

Herbert McMaster, National Security Advisor to Donald Trump, expressed confidence in the support of America's allies for the country's strategy regarding the Iran nuclear deal, emphasizing that Iran is "not a trustworthy government" and has already "crossed several established lines". On Friday, Donald Trump outlined his strategy towards Iran, stating that he cannot certify Iran's compliance with the JCPOA, and if he cannot resolve the deal's flaws in cooperation with Congress and America's allies, he will withdraw from it. In this context, General Herbert McMaster, in an interview on Fox News' "Sunday" program on October 15, stressed that the Iran nuclear deal is "a weak agreement that is under weak oversight". He also stated that "the President clearly expressed that he will not allow this agreement to serve as a cover for a menacing government to develop nuclear weapons". McMaster also reminded that other parties to the nuclear deal agree with Donald Trump on the need for changes and that Iran must negotiate again on this matter. He clarified that "our European allies support a more precise strengthening of the agreement and increased oversight". Earlier, the leaders of Germany, France, and Britain, three European countries involved in the nuclear negotiations, had reaffirmed their commitment to the JCPOA while emphasizing that they share concerns about Iran's missile program and destabilizing behaviors and are ready to address them, but at the same time warned against actions that could harm the nuclear deal, including the re-imposition of sanctions. Under the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, reached in July 2015 after years of negotiations in Vienna, several international sanctions against Tehran are lifted in exchange for limitations on Iran's nuclear program. However, Trump's decision not to certify Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal presents a 60-day opportunity for the U.S. Congress to decide on the potential reinstatement of sanctions against Iran, a decision that could jeopardize the future of the JCPOA. In the Sunday interview with Fox News, the President's National Security Advisor also stated, "Our real problem with this agreement is that we cannot really say with confidence that they are fulfilling it". He added that "we know from their behavior in the region and their conduct regarding the agreement that they have gone beyond the established lines. They have crossed the lines regarding the limitations several times". General McMaster concluded that "Iran is not a trustworthy government, and therefore more comprehensive and increased oversight must be on the agenda". He added that Trump is not yet ready to withdraw from the JCPOA and is waiting to see if any real change occurs and what Congress can do to address the existing flaws in oversight of Iran and verify Iran's compliance with the agreement. Earlier on Sunday, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations also stated in an interview with NBC News that the U.S. will remain in the nuclear deal with Iran for now, but the Trump administration seeks a "proportional response" to Iran's behaviors on a global level. He emphasized that improving the current situation is a goal for us and referred to concerns about Iran's ballistic missile program, arms sales by this country, and state-sponsored terrorism. On the same day, Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, in an interview with CNN, emphasized the flaws and weaknesses of the Iran nuclear deal, stating that "what the President wants is a more comprehensive strategy to address the issue of Iran in its entirety". Tillerson clarified that "now we want to address the weaknesses of the nuclear deal, but we really need to confront a broader range of threats posed by Iran in the region against our friends and allies, which could be a threat to our national security". The temporary nature of parts of the nuclear agreement, Iran's financial benefits from this agreement, the failure of the agreement to prevent missile tests, the limited capacity of inspectors to monitor Iran's sites, and Iran's non-compliance with the spirit of the JCPOA are among the major grievances of Donald Trump regarding the nuclear deal, all of which were emphasized in his speech on Friday outlining the new strategy towards Iran. In this context, Tillerson rejected the negative impact of the U.S. decision regarding the JCPOA on the process of dealing with North Korea. Haley: The U.S. will remain in the JCPOA for now but seeks a proportional response to Iran's behaviors. France urged the U.S. Congress not to pave the way for the termination of the JCPOA. Germany warned of the potential increase in tensions if the nuclear deal is terminated. Amano: Iran is under the strongest nuclear verification regime. Rouhani's reaction to the new U.S. strategy: We will remain in the JCPOA as long as Iran's interests require it. Warnings from European leaders about the consequences of actions that could harm the nuclear agreement.