US Ambassador to the UN Calls for Trump to Adhere to Nuclear Deal with Iran

The United States representative to the United Nations stated that the nuclear agreement between Iran and six global powers has been effective and it would be wise for Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, to adhere to it. Samantha Power, whose term will end with the new administration on January 20, said on Friday, January 24, to reporters: "Given that we are witnessing threats from Iran due to its destabilizing actions in the region and support for terrorism, it would be very wise to adhere to an agreement that rejects any weapons of mass destruction." She added: "We have succeeded in ensuring that Iran is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons... (this agreement) is effective." Power referred to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was reached in July 2015 after lengthy negotiations between Iran and six global powers. According to the JCPOA, many UN and international sanctions were lifted over the past year. However, Tehran remains under UN arms sanctions and other restrictions that are technically unrelated to the nuclear agreement. The US representative to the UN stated that it is important for the Trump administration to act strongly in monitoring the nuclear agreement and "preventing violations of international norms that occur outside of this agreement." Donald Trump, who is set to be inaugurated next week, threatened during his campaign to either tear up the agreement or seek a better deal. Rex Tillerson, his proposed Secretary of State, also stated on Wednesday that the Iran nuclear agreement would undergo a complete review. However, some officials from the Iranian Foreign Ministry have rejected any revision of the JCPOA, stating that the US cannot revise this international agreement. Earlier, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, stated on June 15 of this year that "we do not violate the JCPOA," but if the Americans "tear up the JCPOA, we will burn it." The Obama administration has warned that if the next US president takes action against the nuclear agreement with Iran, it will have dangerous consequences.