Iran has issued some bleak threats in the face of the looming “repeal” of the JCPOA in the United States. Trump has indicated that he will not renew the deal in May 12 unless Iran accepts new restrictions. Iran has made clear that they have no intention of doing this.
No duh – that’s what an agreement is. You don’t add stipulations one way without expecting something in return. For the U.S. to expect Iran to accept new restrictions just because is just asinine.
In fact, the Iranian leader, Mr. Zarif, has claimed that the United States has violated protocol and is in no position to make such demands.
Zarif said:
“The US is sending a very dangerous message to the people of Iran and the people of the world. It says you never come to an agreement with the US.
“The situation is creating an impression globally that agreements don’t matter.”
The JCPOA, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was a deal reached with Iran and other permanent United Nation members. It basically removed the economic sanctions on Iran and in return Iran would reduce its nuclear stockpiles significantly (cut its medium-enriched stockpile completely and its low-enriched stockpile by 98%).
I can almost sense John Bolton whispering in Trump’s ear. Don’t renew this deal so that we can increase our chances of having a delicious war. It is a valid fear, as impetuous as Trump is, that this deal will fall apart. Trump and Bolton (and others) may be upset that the Iranian regime is involved in Syria, but this political posturing will only continue to make it worse for the everyday person.
That is what governments do: They take imbecilic and sophomoric action on behalf of their citizens without actually having their approval. In the end, it’s US that suffer the consequences, not the U.S.
The war lines are starting to be drawn. In one corner, Russia, China, Syria, Iran, maybe North Korea.
In the other corner, NATO, Israel, South Korea, and the United States.
Nixing this deal with only exacerbate the conditions for war.
The Skeptic's Attic 