Trump on collision course with allies
France, UK say they are committed to implementing deal
America will not be held hostage to nuclear blackmail,” US President Donald Trump said after walking out on the nuclear deal with Iran. But by taking this decision Trump has ignored advice against such a move from his key European allies as well as top US Democratic leaders.
Trump’s decision would have global ramifications, straining Iranian economy and heightening tensions in the Middle East.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UK Prime Minister Theresa May expressed their “regret and concern” at Trump's decision, calling on Iran to maintain its commitments under the deal.
The three leaders said they were committed to implementing the deal despite Trump's decision to pull out.
“We urge the US to ensure that the structures of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) can remain intact and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal,” they said in a joint statement.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said: “The US has announced that it doesn’t respect its commitments.”
“I have ordered the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran to be ready for action if needed, so that if necessary we can resume our enrichment on an industrial level without any limitations.” Former US president Barack Obama in a rare statement called Trump's decision a mistake.
“If the constraints on Iran's nuclear programme under the JCPOA are lost, we could be hastening the day when we are faced with the choice between living with that threat, or going to war to prevent it,” he said.
Russia said it was deeply disappointed by Trump's decision to abandon the deal.
Washington's actions were “flagrantly trampling on the norms of international law”, Russia's foreign ministry said. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned" over Trump's decision, calling on all other nations to support the agreement and preserve the deal. Some other American allies, however, voiced their support for the decision, particularly Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised “courageous leadership” and "bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran."
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was concerned over Trump's decision, calling on all other nations to support the agreement