This week, the governments of France, Germany, and the UK issued a statement raising concerns that Iran has not lived up to its nuclear deal commitments.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rebuffed calls for new negotiations, a day after President Donald Trump announced he had reached out in an attempt to begin negotiations on a new nuclear agreement with Tehran.
Addressing Iranian government officials on March 8, Khamenei said he’s not interested in bending to international pressure. Without directly naming Trump or the United States, Iran’s ruling cleric said, “Some foreign governments and domineering figures insist on negotiations, while their goal is not to resolve issues but to exert control and impose their own agendas.”
In his first term, Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions, while calling for a new deal to restrain the country’s nuclear programs. Other signatories have remained party to the deal but have raised concerns about Iran exceeding the uranium stockpile and enrichment levels specified under the original framework.
This week, the governments of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a statement raising concerns that Iran has not lived up to its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
“You say Iran has not fulfilled its nuclear commitments. Well, did you fulfill yours?” Khamenei said Saturday, in response to the European nations.
Khamenei’s defiant response to calls for new negotiations and concerns about Iran’s nuclear program raise the prospect of an armed confrontation.
Trump Threatens Military Action
In a March 7 interview with Fox Business, Trump said he will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
“There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily or you make a deal,” Trump told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo. “I would prefer to make a deal because I’m not looking to hurt Iran.”
Trump said he’s hopeful Tehran will respond to his diplomatic outreach, “Because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing.
“The people of Iran are great people, but they had a tough regime, and they meet, and they’d be shot in the streets,” Trump continued.
Trump is yet to respond to Khamenei’s apparent rebuff. During his Fox Business interview, the president suggested time is of the essence.
“We can make a deal that would be just as good as if you won militarily, but the time is happening now. The time is coming up,” he said.
By Ryan Morgan
