Only a year after the United States left the Iranian deal, Iran itself decided to abandon the agreement.
The draft, signed under U.S President Barack Obama with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, agreed for Iran to have sanctions lifted if it stopping its program to enrich its high-enriched uranium.
For a few years, Iran seemed to have a new economy boost, attracting western companies, brands and stores to open throughout the country. However, this new step back has severely hindered the Iranian economy – and might affect Western consumers, too.
Two parts suspended
As the BBC reports, the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that “he was suspending two parts of the deal, which is known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), that Iran was adhering to – the sale of surplus enriched uranium and heavy water”.
On May 8 2018, US withdrew from #JCPOA, violated #UNSCR 2231 & pressured others—incl #E3—to do the same
After a year of patience, Iran stops measures that US has made impossible to continue
Our action is within the terms of JCPOA.
EU/E3+2 has a narrowing window to reverse this.— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) May 8, 2019
He then threatened the European Union, Russia and China to come to an agreement in regards to oil commitments with the deal, otherwise he would start selling uranium and exporting it again – which was one of the key element of the agreement.
Moreover, the Iranian President added: “We do not want to leave the agreement. All the people of the world should know that today is not the end of the JCPOA; it is a new step within the framework of the JCPOA.”
This is scaring western countries as Iran does not disclose to who it is selling uranium too and because of its opaque geopolitical links, the United States are scared that it might be able to do business with other dictatures, such as North Korea.
Rouhani also added that five countries would be subject to face “very decisive reaction” if Iran’s nuclear case was mentioned during to the United Nations Security Council.
Read on Alvexo: “Saudi Arabia To Launch Global Oil And Gas Expansion”
Europe might save the deal
It only took a few hours for powers from all continents to react to this announcement. In a common effort, Russia and China publicly accused the United States for being responsible of the situation.
U.S. Sanctions May Overwhelm Europe’s Efforts to Save Iran Deal https://t.co/XUiGwWpO8Q
— PobleteTamargo LLP (@pobletetamargo) May 13, 2019
European countries stressed that the del was “crucial”, as British Prime Minister Theresa May said, or like Florence Parly, French Defence Minister, that European countries were doing everything they could to maintain the deal, as the consequences for the deal to fall through would be dramatic.
As for Germany, the foreign ministry said that the country was “fully committed” and seemed equally worried.
Experts agree to say that the European Union seems to have a similar position than the United States had in the past; however, it is not confirmed how much of a leverage and power the Old Continent will have on the middle eastern country.
U.S just added new sanctions
Although Europe is trying to save the deal, it seems that the equilibrium might be hard to reach.
One year after withdrawing from the Iran deal, President Trump is imposing additional sanctions on Iran's top exports because the regime has maintained its nuclear ambitions and continues to support terrorism.
Get the facts: https://t.co/UfVZVOg4vr pic.twitter.com/e880iKoX5Z
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) May 9, 2019
On May 9th, the Twitter account of the White House announced that U.S President Donald Trump will add soon new sanctions as a result of Iran quitting the deal, explaining that Iran was doing business with terrorist organizations.
“We call on the regime to abandon its nuclear ambitions, change its destructive behavior, respect the rights of its people, and return in good faith to the negotiating table”, said Mr. Donald Trump during a public announcement.
As the press release explains, the White House has decided to put sanctions on “Iran’s top three exports – oil, petrochemicals, and metals”, including iron, steel, aluminium and copper.
Also Amnesty International
Iran: Shocking 33-year prison term and 148 lashes for women’s rights defender Nasrin Sotoudeh https://t.co/5a7xxBozC4
— Bernadette #VaccinesSaveLives 💉😷 (@VintageKnits) May 8, 2019
Not only this means the situation with the United States have changed, but the country has shut down again. A few days ago, the Iranian women’s rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh was sentenced to 33 years of prison and 148 lashes in Iran.
While the international community is trying to cancel her sentence, it looks like Iran has gone back to a pre-2007 situation with solution in sight.