Trump labels Revolutionary Guards a 'terror force' as he decertifies Iran deal
10/13/2017 8:41:26 PM
Donald Trump speaking at the White House on Friday
The Middle East Eye, 13 October 2017 - President Donald Trump defied the will of America's allies and international partners on Friday by choosing not to certify that Tehran is complying with the nuclear deal - in a move that could unravel the landmark agreement and bring the US closer to another conflict in the Middle East.
Trump made the announcement in a bombastic speech that outlined a more confrontational approach to Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and its support for extremist groups in the Middle East.
'Today I am announcing our strategy along with several major steps we're taking to confront the Iranian regime's hostile actions and to ensure that Iran never - and I mean never - acquires a nuclear weapon,' Trump said.
'We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence more terror and the very real threat of Iran’s nuclear breakout.'
While Trump did not pull the United States out of the agreement, aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, he gave the US Congress 60 days to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the pact.
He warned that if 'we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated.'
Trump made the announcement in a bombastic speech that outlined a more confrontational approach to Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and its support for extremist groups in the Middle East.
'Today I am announcing our strategy along with several major steps we're taking to confront the Iranian regime's hostile actions and to ensure that Iran never - and I mean never - acquires a nuclear weapon,' Trump said.
'We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence more terror and the very real threat of Iran’s nuclear breakout.'
While Trump did not pull the United States out of the agreement, aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, he gave the US Congress 60 days to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the pact.
He warned that if 'we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated.'
That would increase tension with Iran as well as put Washington at odds with other signatories of the accord including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union .
Earlier, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson indicated that Trump planned to decertify Iran, but remain part of the broader nuclear deal.
'Our intention is to stay in the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) but the president will decertify,' Tillerson said.
'We are not asking Congress to re-impose sanctions because it would de facto leave the agreement.'
But during his speech at White House the US president declared that Iran 'remains the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism' and said that the US could leave the deal 'at any time'.
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