US Optimism for Successful Negotiations with European Countries to 'Fix' the JCPOA

On Thursday, the US disarmament representative stated that Washington hopes to reach an agreement in negotiations with Britain, France, and Germany to address Donald Trump's concerns regarding the JCPOA. The essence of the 2015 agreement between Iran and six world powers—Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and the US—was to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions that had crippled its economy. On January 12, Donald Trump set a deadline for Britain, France, and Germany, stating they must accept 'serious corrections to the nuclear agreement with Iran,' otherwise he would not extend the waivers on sanctions against Iran when the next deadline arrives. If Trump does not issue an order to continue the waivers by May 12, US sanctions against Iran will be reinstated, although it is still unclear how quickly the reinstatement of sanctions will be implemented. The Iranian government has rejected renegotiating the nuclear agreement. According to Reuters, Robert Wood, the US disarmament representative, said that negotiations with European countries are very 'intense' as the May 12 deadline approaches. He added that US concerns include the lack of addressing Iran's ballistic missile programs, the ten-year deadline set for limiting its nuclear activities, and Iran's overall behavior in the Middle East. Mr. Wood stated at a press conference in Geneva, 'These issues must be addressed. We are optimistic about reaching an agreement that the president will accept.' Reuters adds that the US government is also seeking to expand some provisions of the nuclear agreement, allowing International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to visit all of Iran's nuclear facilities, whether declared civilian or potentially military. Robert Wood further stated, 'We want the IAEA to be able to visit any sites it wants. The Iranians have an ambiguous approach and hinder this. They first say they will allow inspections and then deny it. It is very important for the IAEA to be able to visit any location it wants, including military facilities.' The Iranian government, which committed under the 2015 nuclear agreement not to pursue nuclear weapons, claims that its nuclear programs are solely for peaceful purposes and that its missile programs are defensive in nature. The Iranian government has stated that it will adhere to the agreement as long as all other parties respect it, but if the US withdraws from the agreement, it will 'tear it up.' Diplomats say that EU member states are now more supportive than before of the proposal by Britain, France, and Germany to impose further sanctions on Iran to dissuade Trump from withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear agreement. Diplomats also say that following the chemical attack on April 7 near Damascus, which Western governments blame on Bashar al-Assad's regime, EU member states are under increased pressure to protest Iran's role in Syria.