European powers have developed a trade mechanism to enable commercial transactions with Iran
despite U.S. sanctions.
As U.S. Vice President Mike Pence calls for the EU to leave the JCPOA, the Democratic National Committee calls for the U.S. to re-enter the agreement. U.S. intelligence assessments find Iran in compliance with the nuclear deal and France, Germany, and the United Kingdom announce a mechanism to facilitate trade with Iran.
Several European ministers will not attend the upcoming U.S.-Polish summit on the Middle East expected to focus on Iran, a likely U.S. presidential candidate calls for U.S. re-entry into the JCPOA, and the Trump administration's Missile Defense Review cites the possibility of an Iranian ICBM.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accuses Tehran of being in “open defiance” of Security Council resolution.
As the IAEA continues to find Iran in compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA, the United States has reimposed a second round of sanctions with waivers.
The United States abandoned the Iran nuclear deal, but Tehran continues to comply for now.
The Trump administration ramped up its reckless and irresponsible “maximum pressure” approach to Iran Nov. 5 when it rolled out the second round of U.S. sanctions, re-imposed after President Donald Trump violated and withdrew from the nuclear deal in May.
Although the new oil sanctions are unlikely to change Iran’s commitment to the JCPOA in the short-term, the long-term viability of the deal remains at risk.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s charge draws pushback from the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
European Union states have responded to U.S. sanctions to facilitate legitimate trade with Iran, while a majority of the UN Security Council expresses support for the JCPOA.
EU plans steps to get around U.S. sanctions on Iran.
Iran continues to abide by its commitments under the nuclear deal, notes the IAEA in its first report since the reimposition of U.S. sanctions Aug. 7.
Iran is pushing for EU measures to preserve oil sales, while other states seek waivers from the U.S. sanctions. In the meantime, Iran’s Defense Ministry announced plans Sept. 1 to boost production of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley continues to mischaracterize the terms of the JCPOA.