Zarif: If the US Exits the JCPOA, We Also Have the Option to Leave

Mohammad Javad Zarif has stated to Al Jazeera in New York that if the United States exits the JCPOA, Iran also has this option and other options available. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has described the JCPOA as 'a source of shame for the United States,' while European powers are urging the US to remain in the agreement. According to Reuters, the Iranian Foreign Minister said on Thursday, October 6: 'If Washington decides to exit the nuclear agreement, Iran also has the option to leave the JCPOA and other options available.' Al Jazeera reflected Mr. Zarif's comments in an immediate Twitter post. The network had previously quoted the Iranian Foreign Minister stating that if the US exits the JCPOA, Iran would also exit. Al Jazeera later corrected its quote, which was based on a Reuters report. Mr. Zarif added, 'If Washington adheres to this agreement, it will be in a better position.' His remarks about the possibility of Iran exiting the JCPOA if the US makes a similar decision come at a time when Iranian officials had previously mentioned the possibility of remaining in the JCPOA if European parties adhere to the agreement. The failure of the JCPOA could lead to an arms race in the Middle East and escalate tensions in the region. Under the agreement reached in July 2015 between Iran and six world powers, including the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK along with Germany, Tehran agreed to halt many of its nuclear activities in exchange for the suspension or lifting of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic. However, since the new US President took office in January this year, the fate of the JCPOA has been shrouded in uncertainty as Donald Trump has described the agreement as 'the worst deal ever' and criticized Barack Obama for signing it. On September 19, during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Trump referred to Iran as a 'rogue nation' and called the nuclear deal with Tehran a source of 'shame' for the United States, stating, 'I don't think you know the end of it.' The US claims that Iran has violated the 'spirit of the JCPOA' by disrupting peace and stability in the Middle East and conducting missile tests. Tehran has rejected this claim and has accused Washington of violating the terms and spirit of the JCPOA. The US government is required to report to Congress every 90 days on whether Iran has adhered to its commitments under the JCPOA. The next report is due in October. Last week, Mr. Trump stated that he has made his decision regarding this matter but did not disclose it. European countries have a different stance on the JCPOA, urging the US not to withdraw from the agreement. Leaders from several European countries have stated that they spoke with Donald Trump on this issue during the UN General Assembly last week. In the US, there are also differing positions on this matter. While Donald Trump and Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, are staunch opponents of the agreement, some reports indicate that Rex Tillerson, the Secretary of State, has called for the Trump administration to 'declare Iran's compliance with the JCPOA.' General Joseph Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also warned on October 4 that the US exit from this agreement would affect other countries' willingness to sign agreements with Washington. In this context, Tillerson has called for the Trump administration to 'declare Iran's compliance with the JCPOA.' The Iranian Foreign Minister deemed negotiations with the US 'futile.' Russia rejected renegotiating the nuclear agreement with Iran. A request from 45 US national security experts for Trump to exit the JCPOA. Rouhani communicated the law 'to counter US actions' to the Foreign Ministry. European ambassadors in Washington supported the JCPOA. The Director-General of the Agency called for clarification on a disputed section of the JCPOA. General Dunford stated that exiting the JCPOA would affect others' willingness to reach agreements with the US. Iran warns of a new round of nuclear competition.