The Trump administration’s apparent redline with Iran is unnecessary, unwise, and dangerous.
Iran is increasing its stocks of enriched uranium and heavy water, nearing the limits set by the 2015 nuclear deal.
An increase in Iran’s low-enriched uranium stockpile above the JCPOA-mandated limits does not in itself pose a near-term proliferation risk, and it is critical that the Trump administration does not overreact to this breach and further escalate tensions.
A joint statement from Americans for Peace Now, Arms Control Association, Council for a Livable World, Foreign Policy for America, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Indivisible, J Street, MoveOn, NIAC Action, Ploughshares Fund, VoteVets and Win Without War.
Iran’s decision to breach caps imposed by the accord is a troubling but predictable response to the Trump administration’s systematic campaign to deny Iran any benefit from the nuclear deal over the past year.
Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise after the Trump administration questions Iran’s decision to install additional advanced centrifuges and accuses the country of attacking oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, while members of Congress seek to restrict funding for military action against Iran.
While Iran appears to be exercising restraint and remaining in compliance with the JCPOA, its threats to violate the deal jeopardizes the future of the accord and risks reigniting a nuclear crisis.
One year after the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Tehran says it will not abide by some of the agreement’s limits.
One year after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the multilateral 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, the deal is in deep trouble.
Iran has announced countermoves on the JCPOA and further actions if the Europeans, China, and Russia do not deliver on sanctions relief and has suggested that the country may also withdraw from the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), while earlier this month the United States renewed some nuclear cooperation waivers while revoking others.
Statement from the Arms Control Association notes that the proliferation threat will grow over time if European powers do not respond.
The Trump administration's announcement of waivers to allow the continuation of projects at key Iranian nuclear sites is clearly in the U.S. and international community's interest, but its decision to cut down on the length of the waivers and tighten nuclear-related sanctions in other areas puts the deal in further jeopardy.
The nuclear watchdog has continued monitoring activities in Iran as suspicions linger.
Failure to grant the sanctions waivers detailed in the 2015 Iran nucelar deal would jeopardize U.S. nonproliferation priorities and increases the risk that the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), will collapse.