Trump withdraws US from Iran nuclear deal

World
Europe

Calling the Iran nuclear deal "defective at its core" U.S. President Donald Trump announced from that he is pulling the United States out of the deal.

Trump called the Iranian government "the leading state sponsor of terror."

"In theory, the so-called Iran deal was supposed to protect the U.S. and their allies from the lunacy of an Iranian nuclear bomb," Trump said. "In fact, the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and over time reach the brink of a nuclear breakout."

In response, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said that the Iran deal will still remain in place.

"From this time on, the nuclear deal is an accord between Iran and five countries," Rouhani said in live televised. "I am happy that an intruder (United States) has exited from the nuclear deal."

Rouhani added that Iran will consult with the other signers of the deal.

"I have ordered the foreign ministry to negotiate with European countries, China and Russia in coming weeks," Rouhani said.

"If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPOA with cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain. But if our interests are not protected, we will announce the Islamic Republic's decision."

Trump said the deal was a "horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made."

The U.S. president said that he if allowed the deal to stand that it would create a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Prior to his decision, Trump said he consulted with U.S. allies over the last few months including France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Following Trump's statement, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement of regret and concern.

"Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPoA. This agreement remains important for our shared security," the world leaders said in the statement.

"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."

Former U.S. President Barack Obama issued a statement on his Facebook page saying that Trump's announcement is misguided and that the Iran deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is working.

Obama signed the Iran deal 2015.

"Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America’s closest allies, and an agreement that our country’s leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated," Obama said.

"In a democracy, there will always be changes in policies and priorities from one Administration to the next. But the consistent flouting of agreements that our country is a party to risks eroding America’s credibility, and puts us at odds with the world’s major powers."

Obama added that the deal is not based on trust but on "the most far-reaching inspections and verification regime ever negotiated in an arms control deal."