US Envoy Expresses Satisfaction with Talks with Three European Countries on Reforming the JCPOA

Brian Hook, the US envoy to the Joint Commission meeting of the JCPOA in Vienna, expressed satisfaction on Friday with discussions between the US and three European powers involved in the Iran nuclear deal regarding Donald Trump's deadline for addressing the shortcomings of the JCPOA. Trump, who has been a serious critic of the Iran nuclear agreement even before taking office, believes it is the 'worst deal ever' and has serious flaws. He has threatened to withdraw from the agreement if these flaws are not addressed by May 12, 2018, the date by which the US must decide on extending sanctions relief. One of Trump's grievances is the temporary nature of the restrictions outlined in the JCPOA. However, a report from the US State Department, obtained by Reuters last month, has designed a roadmap for Britain, France, and Germany, the three European allies of the US, to work towards enhancing the nuclear agreement and addressing Trump's concerns. According to Reuters, senior US officials and these three European countries held a quadrilateral meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the JCPOA Joint Commission meeting in Vienna, and additionally, on Thursday, Brian Hook held separate bilateral talks with his British, French, and German counterparts. In this context, Hook stated at a press conference on Friday that 'what the President has asked us to do is to work with our European allies to reach an understanding before the [deadline] of May 12, and we do not have guidance for after that date.' Based on Reuters' report, although the US envoy did not specify what form of agreement he was seeking in discussions with European officials, he emphasized three issues of concern to Trump: the temporary nature of the restrictions, the fact that the JCPOA does not include Iran's missile tests, and UN inspections of all Iranian facilities. Hook also stated that he does not prejudge the mechanism that would lead the US and the three European countries to an understanding but added that what the President announced on January 12 is to reach a complementary agreement with European allies on these three issues. He mentioned that this was the third meeting they had with the three European countries, and good discussions were held. There is a lot of common ground, and regarding the differences, efforts should be made to reduce them gradually. However, the JCPOA Joint Commission meeting, which includes representatives from Iran, the European Union, and six global powers involved in the JCPOA, took place on Friday in Vienna amid increasing questions about the US commitment to this agreement, according to the Associated Press. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, and other participating delegations did not comment on the discussions that took place behind closed doors. Meanwhile, it is expected that during these periodic negotiations, there will also be bilateral meetings between officials of different countries. The Associated Press predicted that one of the important issues of focus in these periodic negotiations will be the impact of Rex Tillerson's dismissal from the position of US Secretary of State on US policies regarding the JCPOA. However, according to Reuters, the US envoy assessed that the change of Secretary of State would have no effect on these negotiations. The Associated Press added that Tillerson's dismissal and his replacement with Mike Pompeo, who has a tough stance against Iran, have fueled speculation that the US will withdraw from this agreement, an action that would likely lead to the collapse of the Iran nuclear agreement with the international community. Abbas Araghchi stated on Wednesday to the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament that Tillerson's dismissal is a sign of Trump's exit from this agreement and pledged that in that case, Iran would also withdraw from the JCPOA. The nuclear agreement, signed during Barack Obama's presidency after lengthy negotiations, obligates Iran to halt enrichment and accumulation of nuclear fuel that could have military uses in exchange for the lifting of most international sanctions against Iran's oil and banking industries. The Associated Press noted that EU foreign ministers, who are set to discuss this issue on Monday in Brussels, are expected to reiterate that in their view, the JCPOA is a good agreement and they will try to dissuade Trump. At the same time, they will emphasize the development of Iran's missile programs and the destabilizing role of this country in the Middle East, two main criticisms of the current US administration against Iran.