With waiver, U.S. lets Iran maintain benefits of nuke deal
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration took a key step Wednesday toward preserving the Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran, coupling the move with fresh ballistic missile sanctions to show it isn’t going light on the Islamic Republic.
The State Department announcement — coming two days before Iranian elections in which moderate leader Hassan Rouhani is the slight favorite, and just before President Donald Trump’s first overseas trip as president — said Iran would continue to enjoy relief from decades-old economic measures punishing Tehran for its nuclear program. Under the 2015 nuclear agreement, the U.S. lifted those sanctions. But Washington must issue periodical waivers to keep the penalties from snapping back into place and the most recent one was setto expire this week.
Mr. Trump as a candidate vowed to renegotiate or tear up the nuclear deal. As president, he has altered his position, insisting he is still studying the accord and hasn’t made a final decision. The move to extend the sanctions relief in the meantime was another indication Mr. Trump may be laying the ground work to let the deal stand.
Still, the U.S. paired the announcement with new, unrelated sanctions that go after Iran for a ballistic missiles program that Washington fears could target American interests in the Middle East or key allies such as Israel and Saudi-Arabia.
Wednesday’s sanctions target Iranian military officials along with an Iranian company and China-based network accused of supplying Iran with materials for ballistic missiles, the State Departmentsaid.
The dual moves — ensuring old sanctions on Iran don’t return while imposing new ones — appeared aimed at undercutting the impression that Mr. Trump’s stance on Iran has softened. Since taking office, Mr. Trump’s administration has sanctioned hundreds in Iran and in Syria — an Iranian ally — as part of a campaign to increase pressureon Iran even as it reviews the nuclear deal.
Stuart Jones, the top U.S. diplomat in charge of the Middle East, said the U.S. is still forming a “comprehensive Iran policy.”
Mr. Trump also announced late Wednesday that the U.S. didn’t intend to limit Iran’s ability to sell oil.
Laptop-ban talks
Talks on a proposed U.S. ban on laptops and tablets in flights from Europe ended Wednesday with no ban — and a promise of more talks and better intelligence sharing.
For days now, European Union officials have been hoping for details on the threat that prompted the proposed ban — the same details that Mr. Trump discussed with Russian diplomats at the White House last week.
On Wednesday, in a secure room in Brussels, officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the European Union swapped information about threats involving air travel. An official who followed the talks said the ban was “off the table” for now. He spoke on condition of anonymity to release details ofthe sensitive negotiations.
They also shared details about their aviation security standards and detection capabilities, and agreed to meet again in Washington next week.
Israeli diplomacy
Mr. Trump has decided not to immediately move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a senior White House official said, violating a campaign promise but avoiding a provocation that could drive Palestinians away from peace talks.
Meanwhile, ahead of Mr. Trump’s visit to the Mideast, apprehension is seen as replacing post-election joy among many in Israel.
The Israeli prime minister’s office said it is seeking clarifications from Mr. Trump after an American official said the Western Wall is partof the West Bank.
Also, former Israeli intelligence officials expressed grave concern over reports Mr. Trump divulged secrets to the Russians provided by Israel, breaking with the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which in the wake of the revelation sought to portray the bilateral ties as business as usual.