Trump signs waiver to uphold the Iran deal for 120 more days as officials insist this is 'the last time'
President Trump has again signed a waiver to uphold the terms of the Iran nuclear deal, setting a deadline of 120 days for European partners to overhaul the pact or else the U.S. will reimpose deal-breaking sanctions, The New York Times reports. Trump has dubbed the agreement with Iran "the worst deal ever," and is reportedly pressuring EU signatories to make uranium enrichment restrictions on Iran permanent, rather than allow them to expire in 2025, the BBC reports. The new deal insisted on by Trump would also need to allow for the inspection of Iranian facilities, with sanctions to be reimposed if Iran refused, and have an amendment added classifying Iran's long-ranging missile program as "inseparable" from its nuclear program, Al Arabiya reports.
"This is the last time [Trump will] issue waivers [on sanctions] unless they reach an agreement," said top White House officials. Trump called it the "last chance" and added "no one should doubt my word. I said I would not certify the nuclear deal — and I did not. I will also follow through on this pledge."
As Trump has been threatening to withdraw from the deal since his candidacy, Iran's vice president Eshagh Jahangiri responded to the news by saying: "If the Americans withdraw from the nuclear deal, we will not hold a mourning service; we are fully prepared for any likely event." Regional experts warn that if the U.S. was to truly withdraw, it would "play into the hands of hard-liners in the country," the Times writes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
So far, Europe has showed no sign of taking Trump up on renegotiating a deal. "The Iran nuclear deal makes the world safer," said British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Thursday. "European partners were unanimous today in our determination to preserve the deal and tackle Iran's disruptive behavior."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
'Elevating Earth Day into a national holiday is not radical — it's practical'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
UAW scores historic win in South at VW plant
Speed Read Volkswagen workers in Tennessee have voted to join the United Auto Workers union
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - dystopian laughs, WNBA salaries, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published