Federal policy on the Iran nuclear deal, 2017-2018

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President Trump Delivers Remarks on the Iran Strategy, May 8, 2018

The United States and five world powers implemented an agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the development of its nuclear program on January 16, 2016. The agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), placed limits on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for billions in sanctions relief.

On May 8, 2018, President Donald Trump said that the U.S. would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. He said that he would not renew sanctions waivers that were part of the deal, effectively ending U.S. involvement in the accord. He also said that he would impose new sanctions on Iran.[1]

Trump had asked Congress and the other nations in the deal to improve it by giving inspectors greater access to Iranian military sites, allowing inspectors access to Iran’s long-range missile program, eliminating some of the sunset provisions in the deal that would have allowed Iran to resume some of its nuclear-related activities, and addressing Iran’s support for terrorism. None of these concerns were addressed, so Trump decided to withdraw from the deal.[2]

In August 2018, and November 2018, the Trump administration reimposed all sanctions that were lifted under the JCPOA, ending U.S. involvement in the agreement.

This page tracked major events and policy positions of the Trump administration and the 115th Congress on the Iran nuclear deal. Click on the timeline below to learn more about each headline.

What was the Iran nuclear deal? The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal, was an agreement reached by the United States, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Iran. It placed limits on the amount of uranium and plutonium—the materials used to create an atomic weapon—Iranians could have and manufacture. It also required Iran to transform or close their nuclear facilities, reduce their number of centrifuges for enriching uranium, limit their stockpile of low-enriched uranium, and end their production of weapons-grade plutonium. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was responsible for monitoring Iran's nuclear program and investigating any suspicious activity. In return, the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations lifted some of the economic sanctions that were placed on Iran. The JCPOA was adopted in October 2015 and implemented in January 2016. The U.S. announced that it would withdraw from the accord on May 8, 2018. Sanctions were reimposed on Iran in August 2018, and November 2018.[3][4][5]

What was the Trump administration required to do under the agreement?

  • Every 120 days, the Trump administration was required to waive oil and bank sanctions that were lifted under the JCPOA. President Donald Trump faced a May 12, 2018, deadline to waive sanctions. On May 8, 2018, Trump said that he would not renew sanctions waivers, effectively ending U.S. involvement in the deal. He also said that he would impose new sanctions on Iran.[2]
  • Every 90 days, the Trump administration was required to notify Congress if Iran was in compliance with the nuclear deal under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA). The 90-day certification was not part of the nuclear deal; it was a congressional law. Because Trump notified Congress on October 13, 2017, that Iran was not complying with the deal, Congress had 60 days to decide whether it should re-impose sanctions on Iran or take no action. A simple majority could have voted to re-impose sanctions, but no action was taken by Congress.
  • Some Republican members of Congress were working to amend the INARA to address Trump's concerns with the deal. Sen. Bob Corker's (R-Tenn.) office said the legislation Corker was drafting would “address the major flaws of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by requiring the automatic ‘snapback’ of U.S. sanctions should Iran violate enhanced and existing restrictions on its nuclear program.”[6]

October 3, 2018: U.S. ends 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran; will not comply with U.N. court’s ruling


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Iran nuclear agreement
For more on the Iran nuclear deal, view the following articles:
•Overview
•Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
•Negotiations
•Timeline
•Legislation
•Congressional review
•U.S. withheld cash until hostages were released
•U.S.-Israeli relations
•Public opinion
•Federal policy on the Iran nuclear deal, 2017-2020
•Federal policy on Iran, 2017-2020
•2016 presidential candidates on the Iran nuclear deal

On October 3, 2018, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States was officially terminating the 1955 Treaty of Amity with Iran. The announcement came after the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a court that rules on disputes between United Nations members, ordered the U.S. to lift some sanctions against Iran that would affect imports of humanitarian goods and civil aviation safety.[7][8]

Iran said that the U.S. violated the treaty by reimposing sanctions on the country after withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. The 1955 Treaty of Amity was an agreement between the U.S. and Iran to maintain an economic and diplomatic relationship. The U.S. cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 1979 after the Iranian revolution, so it was unclear what practical impact ending the treaty would have.[7]

Speaking about the ICJ's ruling, Pompeo said that sanctions would not impact humanitarian goods and services or civilian aviation safety. He said, “We will continue to make sure that we are providing humanitarian assistance in a way that delivers for the people we have spoken very clearly about, the Iranian people.”[8]

Pompeo commented on the ICJ’s lack of jurisdiction, saying that the administration was “disappointed the court failed to recognize it has no jurisdiction.” The ICJ “has no power to enforce its decisions. Since the 1980s, Washington has submitted to the court’s jurisdiction only on a case-by-case basis. U.S. courts have also ruled that the ICJ’s rulings aren’t domestically binding on American authorities,” according to The Wall Street Journal.[7]

Pompeo also said Iran was “abusing the ICJ for political and propaganda purposes.” He continued, “Given Iran’s history of terrorism, ballistic missile activity and other malign activity, Iran’s claims under the treaty are absurd. … The court’s ruling today is a defeat for Iran. It rightly rejected all of Iran’s baseless requests. The court denied Iran’s attempt to secure broad measures to interfere with U.S. sanctions and rightly noted Iran’s history of noncompliance with its international obligations under the treaty of nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.”[8]

The ICJ’s ruling came a month before the U.S. was prepared to reimpose additional sanctions on Iran that it lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord.

September 25, 2018: Trump stresses U.S. sovereignty in U.N. speech; criticizes Iran nuclear deal

On September 25, 2018, President Donald Trump delivered a speech at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly that focused on his "America First" foreign policy vision. He criticized globalism and international organizations and pacts—the U.N. Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court, the World Trade Organization, the Iran nuclear deal, and the Global Compact on Migration—and called for each nation “to pursue its own customs, beliefs, and traditions.” In return, he asked other nations to give the U.S. its sovereignty. While speaking about his administration’s decision to withdraw from the U.N. Human Rights Council and his decision to no longer provide support for the International Criminal Court, Trump said, “We will never surrender America’s sovereignty to an unelected, unaccountable, global bureaucracy. America is governed by Americans. We reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism. Around the world, responsible nations must defend against threats to sovereignty not just from global governance, but also from other, new forms of coercion and domination.”[9]

Although he rejected many global organizations and pacts during his speech, Trump thanked world leaders for helping with regional conflicts. He thanked President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, and President Xi Jinping of China for their efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. He also thanked the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar for working with the U.S. to fight the Islamic State terror group and terrorism in the Middle East.[9]

Trump also criticized the Iran nuclear deal and specifically singled out Iran’s leaders, saying that they “sow chaos, death, and destruction. They do not respect their neighbors or borders, or the sovereign rights of nations. Instead, Iran’s leaders plunder the nation’s resources to enrich themselves and to spread mayhem across the Middle East and far beyond. The Iranian people are rightly outraged that their leaders have embezzled billions of dollars from Iran’s treasury, seized valuable portions of the economy, and looted the people’s religious endowments, all to line their own pockets and send their proxies to wage war.” Trump called the nuclear deal “a windfall for Iran’s leaders,” saying that the money that came into the country after the deal was struck went to the military and to finance terrorism instead of to the Iranian people.[9]

May 8, 2018: Trump announces that U.S. will withdraw from nuclear deal

On May 8, 2018, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum stating that the U.S. would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. He said that he would not renew sanctions waivers that were part of the deal, effectively ending U.S. involvement in the accord. He also said that he would impose new sanctions on Iran.[1][2]

The memorandum stated, "I do not believe that continuing to provide JCPOA-related sanctions relief to Iran is in the national interest of the United States, and I will not affirm what I know to be false. Further, I have determined that it is in the national interest of the United States to re-impose sanctions lifted or waived in connection with the JCPOA as expeditiously as possible."[1]

Trump had asked Congress and the other nations in the deal to improve it by giving inspectors greater access to Iranian military sites, allowing inspectors access to Iran’s long-range missile program, eliminating some of the sunset provisions in the deal that would allow Iran to resume some of its nuclear-related activities, and addressing Iran’s support for terrorists. Because none of these issues were addressed, Trump determined that it was in the U.S.' best interest to leave the deal.[2]

Responses

International

  • British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron released the following joint statement: "Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPoA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. We recall that the JCPoA was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. This resolution remains the binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute about the Iranian nuclear programme. We urge all sides to remain committed to its full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility. According to the IAEA, Iran continues to abide by the restrictions set out by the JCPoA, in line with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The world is a safer place as a result. Therefore we, the E3, will remain parties to the JCPoA. Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement. We urge the US to ensure that the structures of the JCPoA can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal. After engaging with the US Administration in a thorough manner over the past months, we call on the US to do everything possible to preserve the gains for nuclear non-proliferation brought about by the JCPoA, by allowing for a continued enforcement of its main elements."[10][11]
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "Israel fully supports President Trump’s bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran. Israel has opposed the nuclear deal from the start, because we said that rather than blocking Iran’s path to a bomb, the deal actually paves Iran’s path to an entire arsenal of nuclear bombs. The removal of sanctions under the deal has already produced disastrous results. The deal didn’t push war further away; it actually brought it closer. The deal didn’t reduce Iran’s aggression; it dramatically increased it."[12]
  • High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini: “The nuclear deal with Iran is crucial for the security of the region, of Europe and of the entire world.” She called on the members of the deal to continue to respect it.[13]
  • Iranian President Hassan Rouhani: Rouhani said that there was a short time to negotiate with the countries remaining in the nuclear deal. He added, “I have ordered Iran’s atomic organization that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before.” He said Iran would start enriching uranium in the coming weeks.[13]
  • Iranian lawmakers: According to The Wall Street Journal, "footage broadcast on state television showed several lawmakers burning an American flag and a copy of the text of the deal as some chanted 'Death to America!'"[14]
  • Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Khamenei called Trump's speech "stupid and worthless. ... On behalf of the Iranian nation, I say: Mr. Trump, you can’t do a damn thing! ... This man will be buried too, and his body will be bitten by snakes and ants, and the Islamic Republic will still be standing."[14]
  • Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry: "The kingdom supports and welcomes the steps announced by the US president toward withdrawing from the nuclear deal ... and reinstating economic sanctions against Iran."[15]
  • Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull: Turnbull opposed Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal, according to the Associated Press.[13]
  • Japan's Foreign Ministry: Japan expressed its continued support for the deal and said that it “hopes for a continued constructive response from the nations involved.”[13]

Democratic Party Democrats

  • Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.): "The last thing America and the world need right now is a new nuclear threat."[16]
  • Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.): "This nuclear deal is not perfect, but it is certainly the best existing tool we have to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and avoid a disastrous military conflict in the Middle East."[16]
  • Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.): "President Trump has set us on a dangerous road where war becomes more likely, especially as his advisers beat the drums for regime change, which should never be a goal of U.S policy."[16]
  • Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.): “I opposed the Iran deal three years ago because we gave away too much upfront and got far too little in return. The deal I opposed gave Iran $100 billion dollars on day one for a promise that they wouldn’t pursue nuclear weapons for only 10 years, but it did nothing to limit their sponsorship of terrorism or development of the ballistic missiles that could reach the U.S. This was a bad deal then, and it is a bad deal today. That is why I support President Trump’s decision to impose sanctions until the Iranians agree to permanently give up nuclear weapons and the missiles that deliver them, and end their support for terrorist organizations around the world. I believe that to be a super power, you must possess super diplomatic skills, and I believe that we can use these skills to negotiate a better deal."[17]
  • Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: "With this decision President Trump is risking U.S. national security, recklessly upending foundational partnerships with key U.S. allies in Europe and gambling with Israel’s security. Today’s withdrawal from the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] makes it more likely Iran will restart its nuclear weapons program in the future."[16]
  • House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.): "@realDonaldTrump’s decision to abdicate American leadership during a critical moment in our effort to advance a denuclearization agreement with North Korea is particularly senseless, disturbing & dangerous."[16]
  • Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee: "This decision needlessly discards our only effective means of curtailing Iran’s nuclear capabilities and emboldens hardliners in Iran to resume nuclear weapons activity."[16]

Republican Party Republicans

  • Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas): "President Trump is right to abandon the Obama Administration’s bad deal. We know Iran has long thumbed its nose at the international community and has potentially violated this one-sided agreement. Any new agreement must prevent Iran from obtaining and employing weapons of mass destruction and be subject to Congressional scrutiny."[18]
  • Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.): “I strongly support President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. He made a strong and convincing case for this position. The agreement has always been fatally flawed when it came to controlling Iranian nuclear ambitions. With the mere passage of time, the deal allows Iran to enrich and reprocess uranium – without limitation – on its march toward a nuclear weapon. This would have required our Arab allies to develop a nuclear weapon of their own to counter the growing Iranian threat. There are some who blindly supported this deal, regardless of the risks it posed to our own national security. They sincerely believed that by providing Iran with sanctions relief, the Iranians would change course and become a better member of the family of nations. Those assumptions have proven to be a disastrous mistake. Instead, Iran has used the funds provided by sanctions relief to significantly enhance their military capability and create havoc throughout the Middle East. They also have used the funds to increase the threats posed to our ally in Israel. I hope President Trump will work with our allies around the world to find a better deal which will truly end Iran’s nuclear weapons ambition and hold them accountable for being the largest state-sponsor of terrorism. Of equal importance, today’s action also sends a strong signal to the North Koreans. The Trump Administration is serious about denuclearization and will not support weak deals with loopholes. President Trump is not going to let the Iranians – or the North Koreans – have it both ways. He certainly isn’t going to repeat President Obama and Secretary Kerry’s mistakes.”[19]
  • House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.): "From the beginning, the Obama-era Iran Deal was deeply flawed. Iran’s hostile actions since its signing have only reaffirmed that it remains dedicated to sowing instability in the region. The president’s announcement today is a strong statement that we can and must do better. I have always believed the best course of action is to fix the deficiencies in the agreement. It is unfortunate that we could not reach an understanding with our European partners on a way to do that, but I am grateful to them for working with the United States toward that goal. The president is right to insist that we hold Iran accountable both today and for the long-term. There will now be an implementation period for applying sanctions on Iran. During that time, it is my hope that the United States will continue to work with our allies to achieve consensus on addressing a range of destabilizing Iranian behavior—both nuclear and non-nuclear."[20]
  • Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.): "The Iran deal has always been terrible. Today is a reminder that if you live by the Presidency, you die by the Presidency. We ought to be clear about this: Donald Trump isn’t ripping up a treaty; he’s walking away from Barack Obama’s personal pledge. Two and a half years ago, President Obama made a bad deal with Iran without support from Congress, and today President Trump is pulling out of President Obama’s personal commitment, and he doesn’t need Congress’s support to do so. American foreign policy makes lasting progress when it is led by the President, approved by Congress, and presented honestly to the American people."[21]

What sanctions were re-imposed?

The memorandum issued by Trump began a 180-day period for the Trump administration to re-impose all of the sanctions on Iran that were removed under the JCPOA. Some sanctions were scheduled to be re-imposed in 90 days, by August 6, 2018, and others were scheduled to be re-imposed in 180 days, by November 4, 2018. A list of the sanctions appears below.[22]

On August 6, 2018, the Trump administration re-imposed the following sanctions that were lifted under the JCPOA:[22]

  • Sanctions on Iran buying or acquiring U.S. dollars;
  • Sanctions on Iran’s trade in gold or precious metals;
  • Sanctions on the direct or indirect sale, supply, or transfer to or from Iran of graphite, raw, or semi-finished metals such as aluminum and steel, coal, and software for integrating industrial processes;
  • Sanctions on transactions related to the purchase or sale of Iranian rials, or the maintenance of significant funds or accounts outside the territory of Iran denominated in the Iranian rial;
  • Sanctions on issuing Iranian sovereign debt; and
  • Sanctions on Iran’s automotive sector.

The administration also ended Iran’s ability to export carpets and food to the U.S. and end certain licensing transactions.

According to the Treasury Department, on November 4, 2018, the Trump administration re-imposed the following sanctions that were lifted under the JCPOA:[22]

  • Sanctions on Iran’s ports and shipping and shipbuilding sectors;
  • Sanctions on purchasing petroleum products and petrochemical products from Iran;
  • Sanctions on transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian financial institutions;
  • Sanctions on the provision of specialized financial messaging services to the Central Bank of Iran and Iranian financial institutions;
  • Sanctions on the provision of underwriting services, insurance, or reinsurance; and
  • Sanctions on Iran’s energy sector.

On November 5, 2018, the government revoked the authorization for U.S.-owned foreign entities to conduct business with Iran. Sanctions on certain Iranian individuals were re-imposed.

April 30, 2018: Pompeo discusses documents detailing Iran’s nuclear weapons program

On April 30, 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released documents obtained by Israel's intelligence agency detailing Iran’s Project Amad, a secret nuclear weapons program that Iran said it ended in 2003. Netanyahu accused Iran of lying about the nature of its nuclear program before the nuclear deal was signed in 2015.[23]

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that U.S. intelligence officials determined the documents were authentic and showed that Iran had been operating a secret nuclear weapons program for years. He said in a statement, "Among the flaws of the Iran nuclear deal was the whitewashing of Iran’s illicit activities related to its military nuclear program. Iran had many opportunities over the years to turn over its files to international inspectors from the IAEA and admit its nuclear weapons work. Instead, they lied to the IAEA repeatedly. They also lied about their program to the six nations who negotiated the Iran nuclear deal. What this means is the deal was not constructed on a foundation of good faith or transparency. It was built on Iran’s lies. Iran’s nuclear deception is inconsistent with Iran’s pledge in the nuclear deal 'that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop, or acquire any nuclear weapons.'"[24]

Pompeo also said that the Trump administration would use the documents to determine if the U.S. should remain in the nuclear deal. He said, "One has to ask: Why exactly was Iran hiding half a ton of nuclear weaponization files while implementing the Iran deal? It is worth recalling that from 2006-2015, Iran was prohibited by Security Council resolutions from enriching any nuclear material. Now that the world knows Iran has lied and is still lying, it is time to revisit the question of whether Iran can be trusted to enrich or control any nuclear material."[24]

Olli Heinonen, a former chief inspector at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said that the evidence of Project Amad released by Netanyahu was credible. He added that work on the program was abandoned in 2003.[23]

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif accused Netanyahu of releasing the documents to influence Trump's decision on whether the U.S. should continue to comply with the nuclear deal.[23]

Rob Malley, a member of the Obama administration who was involved in the nuclear deal negotiations, said that Netanyahu did not provide any new information. He wrote on Twitter, “For those who have followed the Iranian nuclear file, there is nothing new in Bibi's presentation. All it does is vindicate need for the nuclear deal. But the Israeli prime minister has an audience of one: Trump. And he's unfortunately unlikely to reach the same conclusion.”[23]

January 12, 2018: Trump keeps nuclear deal in place; imposes new sanctions

On January 12, 2018, President Donald Trump waived sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. An administration official said that it would be the last time Trump waived the sanctions, which he was required to do every 120 days as long as Iran was in compliance with the nuclear deal.[25]

The administration official said, “The president will also make clear that this is the last such waiver he will issue. He intends to work with our European partners on some kind of follow-on agreement that enshrines certain triggers that the Iranian regime cannot exceed related to ballistic missiles, related to nuclear breakout period ... to inspection and that would have no sunset clause. If the president can get that agreement that meets his objectives and that never expires, that as he said in his October Iran strategy speech that denies Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon, but forever, not for 10 years or any other shorter period of time, he would be open to remaining in such a modified deal.”[25]

The administration also announced that the Treasury Department issued non-nuclear sanctions on 14 individuals and entities who were responsible for human rights abuses, censorship, and supporting Iran's ballistic missile program.[26]

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement, "The United States will not stand by while the Iranian regime continues to engage in human rights abuses and injustice. We are targeting the Iranian regime, including the head of Iran's judiciary, for its appalling mistreatment of its citizens, including those imprisoned solely for exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly, and for censoring its own people as they stand up in protest against their government. We are also targeting Iran's ballistic missile program and destabilizing activities, which it continues to prioritize over the economic well-being of the Iranian people."[26]

October 13, 2017: Trump decertifies nuclear deal, but declines to leave the agreement or re-impose sanctions

On October 13, 2017, President Donald Trump said that he would not certify that Iran was in compliance with the nuclear deal, but he declined to leave the agreement or re-impose sanctions. Trump said, “I am announcing today that we cannot and will not make this certification. We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence, more terror and the very real threat of Iran’s nuclear breakout.” He said that Iran “has committed multiple violations of the agreement" and is "not living up to the spirit of the deal.” Trump then said that if the deal could not be strengthened, he would end it.[27]

He asked Congress to pass new measures that would prevent Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon by amending the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA). Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) were working with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on amending the INARA. Corker’s office said the legislation would “address the major flaws of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by requiring the automatic ‘snapback’ of U.S. sanctions should Iran violate enhanced and existing restrictions on its nuclear program.”[6]

Before Trump spoke, Tillerson said, “There are some areas that were not addressed under the nuclear agreement that we think require further addressing, most specifically the ballistic missile program and the expiration date."[6]

The White House released a fact sheet with the core elements Trump's Iran strategy. It appears below.[28]

“ The United States’ new Iran strategy focuses on neutralizing the Government of Iran’s destabilizing influence and constraining its aggression, particularly its support for terrorism and militants.

We will revitalize our traditional alliances and regional partnerships as bulwarks against Iranian subversion and restore a more stable balance of power in the region.

We will work to deny the Iranian regime – and especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – funding for its malign activities, and oppose IRGC activities that extort the wealth of the Iranian people.

We will counter threats to the United States and our allies from ballistic missiles and other asymmetric weapons.

We will rally the international community to condemn the IRGC’s gross violations of human rights and its unjust detention of American citizens and other foreigners on specious charges.

Most importantly, we will deny the Iranian regime all paths to a nuclear weapon.[29]

”

September 26, 2017: IAEA calls for clarification on section in nuke deal

On September 26, 2017, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano called on the nations included in the nuclear deal with Iran to clarify the section of the deal that included guidelines for technology that could be used to develop a nuclear bomb. Section T of the agreement banned “activities which could contribute to the development of a nuclear explosive device," but it did not include how this was supposed to be verified.[30]

Amano said, “In other sections, for example, Iran has committed to submit declarations, place their activities under safeguards or ensure access by us. But in Section T I don’t see any (such commitment). More clarification would be helpful ... Russia has a different view. They believe that it is not the mandate of the IAEA. Others have different views and discussions are ongoing.”[30]

September 19, 2017: In U.N. speech, Trump calls nuclear deal an embarrassment

On September 19, 2017, in his first speech to the United Nations, President Donald Trump called on member nations to hold Iran accountable for harming its people, funding terrorism, and pursuing a nuclear weapon. He said, "We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilizing activities while building dangerous missiles, and we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program. The Iran Deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States, and I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it -- believe me. It is time for the entire world to join us in demanding that Iran's government end its pursuit of death and destruction."[31]

September 14, 2017: Trump administration extends sanctions relief, but imposes new sanctions

On September 14, 2017, the Trump administration renewed a waiver extending sanctions relief to Iran, but it imposed new sanctions on 11 entities and individuals for supporting Iran’s ballistic missile program and for supporting malicious cyber-enabled activity. The nuclear deal required the administration to renew the sanctions waiver every 120 days as long as Iran was in compliance with the nuclear deal.[32][33]

Speaking about the sanctions, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, “Treasury will continue to take strong actions to counter Iran’s provocations, including support for the IRGC-Qods Force and terrorist extremists, the ongoing campaign of violence in Syria, and cyber-attacks meant to destabilize the U.S. financial system. These sanctions target an Iranian company providing material support to the IRGC’s ballistic missile program, airlines that support the transport of fighters and weapons into Syria, and hackers who execute cyber-attacks on American financial institutions.”[33]

July 17, 2017: Trump administration certifies Iran’s compliance with nuclear deal, but imposes new sanctions

On July 17, 2017, the Trump administration certified that Iran was complying with the nuclear deal. The Trump administration was required to notify Congress if Iran was in compliance.[34]

A senior administration official said, “Iran is unquestionably in default of the spirit of the JCPOA," and added that the administration would pursue a strategy “that will address the totality of Iran’s malign behavior and not narrowly focus [on Iran’s nuclear program]."[34]

The following day, the State Department criticized the nuclear deal, saying, "The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) states the anticipation of JCPOA participants that 'full implementation of this JCPOA will positively contribute to regional and international peace and security.' However, Iran’s other malign activities are serving to undercut whatever 'positive contributions' to regional and international peace and security were intended to emerge from the JCPOA."[35]

Citing Iran's support for terrorist groups—Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad—Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen, as well as Iran's continued testing and development of ballistic missiles, the Trump administration announced new sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities. In a statement released on July 18, 2017, the State Department said that the administration sanctioned 18 entities and individuals for supporting Iran’s ballistic missile program and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).[35]

The State Department also called on Iran to release American detainees and prisoners. The statement said, "The Iranian regime also continues to detain U.S. citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national-security related charges. We call upon Iran to release U.S. citizens Baquer Namazi, Siamak Namazi, and Xiyue Wang, and all other unjustly detained U.S. citizens, so that they can be reunited with their families. ... It has also been more than a decade since Robert Levinson disappeared from Iran’s Kish Island. Iran committed to cooperating with the United States in bringing Bob home and we call on Iran to fulfill this commitment. The United States remains unwavering in its efforts to return Bob to his family."[35]

The administration noted that it was continuing to conduct a review of U.S. policy toward Iran.[35]

May 17, 2017: Trump administration imposes sanctions on Iran, but preserves nuclear deal

On May 17, 2017, the Trump administration introduced new sanctions against Iran in connection with the country’s ballistic missile program and for continued human rights abuses, but the administration kept the nuclear deal with Iran intact by waiving economic sanctions as outlined in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the formal name for the nuclear deal. Under the JCPOA, sanctions were required to be updated periodically. The administration said that it was continuing to review its Iran policy, as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated on April 18, 2017. A senior White House official said that the administration was reviewing whether it would continue to adhere to the nuclear deal and noted that the waiver “should not be seen as giving Iran a clean bill of health.”[36][37][38]

April 19, 2017: Trump administration reviewing policy on Iran

The First 100 Days

In the first 100 days of the Trump administration, Trump took the following actions on the Iran nuclear deal:

  • In April 2017, the Trump administration confirmed that Iran was complying with the nuclear deal, but said that it was reviewing U.S. policy on Iran, noting the country's continued support of terrorism throughout the world.

On April 19, 2017, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced that the Trump administration was reviewing the U.S. policy on Iran. After explaining that Iran was the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, he said, “An unchecked Iran has the potential to travel the same path as North Korea, and take the world along with it. The United States is keen to avoid a second piece of evidence that strategic patience is a failed approach.” Tillerson said that Iran had attempted to disrupt peace throughout by taking the following actions:

  • Supporting the Assad regime in Syria;
  • Supporting some Iraqi militant groups, undermining security in Iraq;
  • Supporting Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations to harm Israel;
  • Supporting the Houthis’ attempted overthrow of the Yemeni government;
  • Harassing lawfully operating U.S. naval vessels in the Persian Gulf;
  • Conducting cyber-attacks against the United States and our Gulf partners;
  • Supporting terrorist attacks throughout the rest of the world;
  • Violating basic human rights;
  • Arbitrarily detaining foreigners; and
  • Continuing to develop and test ballistic missiles in defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Tillerson also discussed the JCPOA, saying, “The JCPOA fails to achieve the objective of a non-nuclear Iran; it only delays their goal of becoming a nuclear state. This deal represents the same failed approach of the past that brought us to the current imminent threat we face from North Korea.”[39]

April 18, 2017: Iran complying with nuclear deal

On April 18, 2017, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) stating that Iran was complying with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Tillerson also told Ryan that the Trump administration was concerned about Iran’s role as a state sponsor of terrorism and would decide if sanctions should be re-imposed.[40]

Tillerson wrote, "Iran remains a leading state sponsor of terror, through many platforms and methods. President Donald J. Trump has directed a National Security Council-led interagency review of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that will evaluate whether suspension of sanctions related to Iran pursuant to the JCPOA is vital to the national security interests of the United States."[40]

Fact check: Can the United States change the Iran nuclear deal?

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President Donald Trump said dismantling the disastrous nuclear deal with Iran was his number one priority.[41] But speaking on Iranian state television following Trump’s victory, President Hassan Rouhani claimed that because it is a multinational deal “there is no possibility that it can be changed by a single government.”[42] This was incorrect.

State Department officials told Congress that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) “is not a treaty or an executive agreement, and is not a signed document. The JCPOA reflects political commitments between Iran, the P5+1 (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China) and the European Union.”[43]

Political commitments such as the JCPOA are not legally binding under U.S. law and are “not governed by international law and there are no applicable rules pertaining to compliance, modification, or withdrawal.” Instead, they are “promise[s] to honor” commitments made in an international document.[44][45][46]

Read the full Ballotpedia fact check: Can the United States change the Iran nuclear deal?

Fact check: Would it be almost unprecedented for Donald Trump to terminate the Iran nuclear deal?

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During an interview with the BBC, CIA Director John Brennan was asked about the possibility of Trump withdrawing the United States from the Iran nuclear deal. “For one administration to tear up an agreement that a previous administration made would be almost unprecedented,” he said.[47]

Brennan was incorrect. A review of presidential documents determined that at least five presidents terminated international agreements entered into as executive agreements. A study published by the Texas Law Review found that nine presidents had withdrawn the United States from international treaties without seeking the approval of either the Senate or the full Congress.

Read the full Ballotpedia fact check: Would it be almost unprecedented for Donald Trump to terminate the Iran nuclear deal?

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 WhiteHouse.gov, "Ceasing U.S. Participation in the JCPOA and Taking Additional Action to Counter Iran’s Malign Influence and Deny Iran All Paths to a Nuclear Weapon," May 8, 2018
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Hill, "Trump pulls US out of Iran nuke deal," May 8, 2018
  3. ↑ The New York Times, "The Iran Nuclear Deal – A Simple Guide," accessed November 5, 2015
  4. ↑ WhiteHouse.gov, "Key Excerpts of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," accessed July 15, 2015
  5. ↑ IAEA.org, "IAEA Director General’s Statement on Iran," accessed January 16, 2016
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Wall Street Journal, "Trump Vows to End Iran Deal Himself if Congress Won’t Act," October 13, 2017
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Wall Street Journal, "U.N. Court Orders U.S. to Lift Iran Sanctions on Humanitarian Goods," October 3, 2018
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Hill, "US terminates 1950s treaty with Iran after court orders ease in sanctions," October 3, 2018
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 WhiteHouse.gov, "Remarks by President Trump to the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly," September 25, 2018
  10. ↑ Gov.UK, "Joint statement from Prime Minister May, Chancellor Merkel and President Macron following President Trump’s statement on Iran," May 8, 2018
  11. ↑ The Hill, "European nations say they are staying in Iran deal," May 8, 2018
  12. ↑ The Hill, "Netanyahu lauds Trump's 'bold decision' to pull out of Iran deal," May 8, 2018
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Associated Press, "The Latest: Australia and Japan still support Iran deal," May 9, 2018
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 The Wall Street Journal, "U.S. Pullout From Nuclear Deal Energizes Iranian Foes of Foreign Influence," May 9, 2018
  15. ↑ Al Jazeera, "World leaders react to US withdrawal from Iranian nuclear deal," May 8, 2018
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 The Hill, "Dems hammer Trump over withdrawal from Iran deal," May 8, 2018
  17. ↑ Manchin.Senate.gov, "Manchin Statement On President Trump's Decision To Pull Out Of The Iran Deal," May 10, 2018
  18. ↑ Cornyn.Senate.gov, "Cornyn Statement on Withdrawal from Iran Nuclear Deal," May 8, 2018
  19. ↑ LGraham.Senate.gov, "Graham Statement On President Trump's Decision To Withdraw From The Iran Deal," May 8, 2018
  20. ↑ Speaker.gov, "Speaker Ryan Statement on Iran," May 8, 2018
  21. ↑ Sasse.Senate.gov, "Sasse Statement on Iran Deal," May 8, 2018
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Treasury.gov, "Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Re-Imposition of Sanctions Pursuant to the May 8, 2018 National Security Presidential Memorandum Relating to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," May 8, 2018
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 BBC, "Israel's Iran documents show nuclear deal 'was built on lies.'" May 1, 2018
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 State.gov, "Iran Atomic Archive," April 30, 2018
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 The Hill, "Trump waives Iran sanctions for what administration says is last time," January 12, 208
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Treasury.gov, "Treasury Sanctions Individuals and Entities for Human Rights Abuses and Censorship in Iran, and Support to Sanctioned Weapons Proliferators," January 12, 2018
  27. ↑ YouTube, "President Trump Delivers Remarks on the Iran Strategy," October 13, 2017
  28. ↑ WhiteHouse.gov, "President Donald J. Trump’s New Strategy on Iran," October 13, 2017
  29. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Reuters, "IAEA chief calls for clarity on disputed section of Iran nuclear deal," September 26, 2017
  31. ↑ WhiteHouse.gov, "Remarks by President Trump to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly," September 19, 2017
  32. ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "U.S. Keeps Iran Nuclear Deal in Place but Imposes Other Sanctions," September 14, 2017
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Treasury.gov, "Treasury Targets Supporters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Networks Responsible for Cyber-Attacks Against the United States," September 14, 2017
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 The Wall Street Journal, "Trump Administration Again Certifies Iran Is Complying With Nuclear Deal," July 18, 2017
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 State.gov, "U.S. Announces New Iran-related Sanctions," July 18, 2017
  36. ↑ State.gov, "U.S. State Department Issues Report on Human Rights Sanctions on Iran," May 17, 2017
  37. ↑ Treasury.gov, "Treasury Sanctions Iranian Defense Officials and a China-Based Network for Supporting Iran’s Ballistic Missile Program," May 17, 2017
  38. ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Trump Administration Announces New Sanctions on Iran," May 17, 2017
  39. ↑ State.gov, "Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Press Availability," April 19, 2017
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 State.gov, "Iran Continues To Sponsor Terrorism," April 19, 2017
  41. ↑ Donald J. Trump for President, “Donald J. Trump’s Remarks at AIPAC,” March 21, 2016
  42. ↑ The Washington Post, “Iran nuclear deal could collapse under Trump,” November 9, 2016
  43. ↑ U.S. Congressman Mike Pompeo, “Letter from Julia Frifield, Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs,” November 19, 2015
  44. ↑ U.S. Department of State, “International Documents of a Non-Legally Binding Character,” accessed November 17, 2016
  45. ↑ Congressional Research Service, “Treaties and Other International Agreements: The Role of the United States Senate,” January 2001
  46. ↑ U.S. Department of State, "Daily Press Briefing—November 10, 2016," November 10, 2016
  47. ↑ BBC News, “CIA chief warns Trump: Scrapping Iran deal 'height of folly,'” November 30, 2016
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