U.S. Congress Delays Deadline for Decision on Iran Nuclear Agreement

The U.S. Congress is "putting on hold" the deadline for a decision regarding the Iran nuclear agreement, meaning the deal will remain unchanged at least temporarily. According to Reuters, this news was announced by sources from the White House and the U.S. Congress. Congressional leaders have stated that there are no plans to reinstate sanctions by the deadline of Wednesday, December 13. Sources close to Congress indicate that lawmakers will pass this deadline without taking any action. By passing this deadline, the U.S. Congress will delegate the decision to the White House and the President. According to Reuters, Mr. Trump has until mid-January of next year to decide whether he still wishes to lift sanctions on Iran's energy sector or wants to reinstate them. Currently, Congress is allowing the Iran nuclear agreement to remain active at least temporarily. Mr. Trump did not confirm Iran's compliance with the JCPOA, which was signed in July 2015, in October. America's European allies, along with China and Russia, who all participated in the negotiations with Iran, are calling for Washington to adhere to this agreement. Iran has stated that it will remain committed to the JCPOA as long as all members fulfill their obligations. Tehran has warned that if commitments are not met, it will withdraw from the agreement. The JCPOA limits Iran's nuclear activities to prevent the development of nuclear weapons and facilitates the lifting of certain sanctions against Tehran. Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, stated in her last meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that this agreement has been effective and has shown its impact. A source close to the White House told Reuters that the current U.S. administration is not currently making efforts to reinstate sanctions against Iran and has delegated the decision to Congress. Donald Trump has referred to the JCPOA as "the worst deal ever" and has threatened that the U.S. will withdraw from this agreement. The Republican Party currently holds a majority in the House of Representatives. In the U.S. Senate, Republicans also hold a majority, but they need the cooperation of Democratic senators for any imposition of sanctions or withdrawal from the JCPOA. Democratic senators have stated that they are not willing to withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran. According to Reuters, even Democratic representatives who opposed the JCPOA two years ago are now unwilling to withdraw from this agreement. Mr. Trump has threatened that if American lawmakers do not add a tougher tone to the JCPOA text, he will withdraw from the agreement. Senator Bob Corker, a Republican representative and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, did not respond to Mr. Trump's threat to withdraw from the agreement if the tone does not become tougher. Mr. Corker told reporters that last week he met with Democratic Senator Ben Cardin and White House National Security Advisor General McMaster to discuss what language could be used that would both affirm the White House's position and not upset America's (European) allies, so they do not think that the U.S. has changed course without consideration. Mr. Corker did not disclose further details of this meeting. Senator Cardin has stated that he does not support any changes to the JCPOA that do not have the backing of European allies. Democratic representatives say that although sanctions against Iran due to its missile program and human rights violations should be imposed, sanctions related to the nuclear agreement should be lifted.