World powers split over Iran nuclear deal

Amid efforts by France, Germany and the UK to keep the Iran nuclear deal – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – alive, Israel has released evidence that they claim shows that Iran has lied about its nuclear ambitions and intentions before the JCPOA deal was signed in 2015, according to the BBC. 

The newly appointed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo responded by saying that the documents evidenced “beyond any doubt” that “the Iranian regime was not telling the truth” and had hidden a “vast atomic archive from the world and from the IAEA”. The EU’s Foreign Affairs Chief, Federica Mogherini said, however, that “what I have seen from the first reports is that (Israeli) Prime Minister Netanyahu has not put into question Iran’s compliance” of the JCPOA deal. She also insisted that the International Atomic Energy Agency must make the assessment on whether Iran is abiding by the deal, reported the European Union.

US President Donald Trump, who has frequently voiced his opposition to the JCPOA, has until 12 May to decide whether to continue with the agreement. He has warned that he would withdraw the US from the JCPOA if his concerns around the agreement are not dealt with, including the fact that the ban on Iranian uranium enrichment ends in 2025, and also Iran’s regional activities, which the US claims makes it the world’s largest sponsor of terrorism.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UK Prime Minister Theresa May have undertaken diplomatic efforts in an attempt to keep the US in the JCPOA. They have insisted that the agreement is the best way of neutralising the threat of a nuclear Iran. After a three-day state visit by Macron to the US, and a shorter one day visit by Merkel, the three European leaders agreed to pursue additional agreements that would address Trumps concerns. Macron has also agreed with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that they will work together to preserve the deal, reported the Financial Times.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, the timing of the Israeli release of information and the sharp US rhetoric on the issue has put the future of the JCPOA into doubt. This would terminate the main diplomatic achievement of the Obama administration and remove the current constraints and checks on the Iranian nuclear programme, whilst reinstating US sanctions on Iran.