Zarif: Trump Will Probably Not Certify Iran's Compliance with the JCPOA

Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, stated in an interview published on Friday, October 7, that he suspects that the U.S. President will likely not certify Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement. In an interview with British newspapers 'The Guardian' and 'Financial Times', Zarif emphasized: 'I think (Donald Trump) has shown an unpredictable policy so far, and now I think this policy is changing to unreliability.' He added: 'My assumption is that he will not issue the certification (of Iran's compliance with the JCPOA) and will let Congress decide on this matter.' According to a congressional mandate, the U.S. government must report every 90 days on Iran's compliance or non-compliance with the JCPOA to lawmakers. The Trump administration has certified Iran's compliance with the JCPOA twice since January. Washington is expected to announce its stance on the JCPOA again in October. Zarif further stated that Iran has other options, but these options depend on the international community's approach towards the U.S. The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized: 'If Europe, Japan, Russia, and China decide to side with the U.S., then I think this will be the end of the agreement (JCPOA).' He stressed that if the nuclear agreement collapses, Iran will not seek to develop nuclear weapons. Zarif clarified that the nuclear agreement has allowed Iran to continue research and development, thus improving its technical infrastructure during this time. He added: 'If we decide to exit the nuclear agreement, we will exit with better technology than before this agreement.' The U.S. President stated on Wednesday, September 20, that he has made his decision regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran, but did not specify what that decision is. Donald Trump also referred to the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers as 'a source of shame' for the U.S. and stated that the United States will never remain in a one-sided agreement that has no benefit for it. Iran and six world powers signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in July 2015. Under this agreement, Iran halted parts of its nuclear program in exchange for the suspension of nuclear sanctions against it. If the Trump administration does not certify Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement, Congress has 60 days to either keep the nuclear sanctions against Iran suspended or reinstate them. U.S. officials claim that Tehran is not adhering to the spirit of the agreement, as the JCPOA calls for the establishment of peace and political and regional stability, which Iran has not complied with.