Warning from Former US Secretary of State Ahead of Review of New Iran Sanctions Proposal

John Kerry, former Secretary of State of the United States, in several posts on his Twitter account, warned about the potential impact of new sanctions on the implementation of the nuclear agreement between Tehran and six world powers, ahead of a review of a proposal related to Iran sanctions in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. US senators had previously submitted a draft proposal to intensify non-nuclear sanctions against Iran. The aim of the proposed draft is to impose mandatory sanctions against individuals and entities linked to the ballistic missile program, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, individuals and mechanisms that violate the UN ban on arms trade with Iran, as well as human rights violators. This draft is set to be reviewed on May 25, US time. In anticipation of the review of this draft, John Kerry, who served as Secretary of State during Barack Obama's presidency and led the nuclear talks with Iran on behalf of Washington, warned about sanctions that could undermine the nuclear agreement. Kerry stated that there have been many ups and downs in achieving the 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' and he welcomes discussions on this matter. The US Secretary of State then added, 'My former friends and colleagues share this view: now is the time to tread carefully.' Kerry referred to Hassan Rouhani's re-election as president and said, 'Now is not the right time to propose new sanctions against Iran.' According to Kerry, there are currently sufficient tools to exert pressure on Tehran, and it is necessary to consider the risk that the potential approval of new sanctions may pose to the 'JCPOA'. He also called for consideration of the consequences of 'confrontation without negotiation' and for consultation and dialogue with America's European allies, who played a 'vital role.' When the new draft was presented to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democratic Senator Robert Menendez and Republican Committee Chairman Bob Corker stated that these sanctions do not violate the nuclear agreement with Iran. Senator Menendez said, 'We have carefully tried to structure the proposal so that it does not impact the nuclear agreement (as it currently stands).' So far, international inspectors and the US State Department have confirmed the parties' compliance with the implementation of the nuclear agreement. Current US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated last January that he would conduct a 'complete review' of the nuclear agreement with Iran but did not call for its rejection. The nuclear agreement between Iran, the US, Russia, China, France, the UK, and Germany was reached two years ago in July in Vienna, Austria; under this agreement, known as the 'JCPOA', Iran agreed to suspend or halt many of its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions against Tehran.