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.
Other countries want to maintain the Iran nuclear deal that the United States abandoned.
During an Aug. 19-22 trip to Israel, National Security Advisor John Bolton said U.S. sanctions reimposed on Iran are having economic effects “even stronger than we anticipated” and that the United States expects that Europeans will see that the “choice between doing business with Iran or doing business with the United States is very clear.”
The U.S. and Iran leaders exchange tweets as European allies look for options to sustain sanctions relief and keep Iran in the JCPOA and endorse regulations to protect European entities from U.S. sanctions penalties.
Why pursuing negotiations to limit Iran’s missiles could produce a win for all involved.