Rising Powers Condemn US Exit from Iran Deal

Policy Alert #165 | May 10, 2018

On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and reinstate economic sanctions on Iran. “America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail. We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction, and we will not allow a regime that chants ‘Death to America’ to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth,” Trump said in his speech to the press. European leaders, including British Prime Minister Theresa May, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have emphasized their commitment to the JCPOA despite the US withdrawal. In a phone call with President Macron, Iranian President Dr. Hassan Rouhani expressed his country’s frustration with follow through of the JCPOA, but reiterated Iran’s commitment to the agreement: “The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully committed to its obligations in the JCPOA and will pursue its interests as it has so far, but unfortunately, the other side has not demonstrated a satisfactory performance. […] If we reach a clear decision on the JCPOA within a limited time, we can witness broader interaction between Iran and Europe.” US allies in the region, most notably Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Syrian opposition leadership, have praised the move. The Rising Powers, meanwhile, have nothing but tough words for the US.

 

CHINA
During a regularly scheduled press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang responded to questions about the announcement of the US withdrawal from JCPOA: “China regrets the decision made by the US side. The JCPOA is a multilateral agreement reached by the P5+1, the European Union and Iran through negotiations and endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231. All relevant parties should implement the JCPOA in good faith and ensure its integrity and sanctity. This will contribute to upholding the international non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East and will play an exemplary role for the political settlement of hot-spot issues.

INDIA
Indian officials chose to say little publicly on the issue. The Ministry of External Affairs issued the following response to media inquiries: “India has always maintained that the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy by respecting Iran’s right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy as also the international community’s strong interest in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. All parties should engage constructively to address and resolve issues that have arisen with respect to the JCPOA.”


RUSSIA
In an official statement following President Trump’s announcement, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “grave concern” for the US acting contrary to the consensus of the international community: “The decisions announced on May 8 are a new confirmation of Washington’s intractability. They also show that the US objections to Iran’s absolutely legal nuclear activity are nothing but a smokescreen for settling political scores with Iran. Washington’s newly unveiled position is a significant violation of the JCPOA. A joint commission of the JCPOA member states must promptly and scrupulously consider and assess this situation using the established procedures. Russia is open to further cooperation with the other JCPOA participants and will continue to actively develop bilateral collaboration and political dialogue with the Islamic Republic of Iran.” In an interview with the press, Acting Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov alleged that the action was merely a “cover” for protectionist policies: “It is actually protectionism in disguise since these steps run totally counter to the WTO’s rules.

JAPAN
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono issued the following statement in response to the US announcement of withdrawal: “The United States announced on May 8th that it will withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and begin reinstating US sanctions on Iran.It would be discouraging should the announcement have a major impact that makes the continuation of the JCPOA difficult. Japan, however, continues to support the JCPOA which contributes to the strengthening of the international non-proliferation regime and stability of the Middle East, and hopes for constructive actions by relevant parties. Japan will remain in close communication with relevant parties to maintain the JCPOA. Japan pays close attention to the situation while carefully analyzing possible influence that this announcement may cause.

RPI acknowledges support from the MacArthur Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York for its activities.