Iran Pulls Back From Nuclear Deal in Response to US Assassination of Soleimani

(TMU) — According to reports, Iran said on Sunday that it would no longer fully abide by the limits of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—also known as the Iran nuclear deal, and will instead “go on solely according to the country’s technical needs.”

Sunday’s announcement comes on the heals of the assassination of Iran’s second most powerful figure, General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq on Friday and is the most significant threat made by the country since U.S. President Donald Trump formally reneged on the Iran nuclear deal in May of 2018.

The announcement came after Iraq’s Parliament voted to expel all American troops from the country. Those in attendance chanted “No, no, America” ahead of the vote.

“Yes,yes Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandus”
“Yes,yes Soleimani”
“No,No America”
“No,No Israel”
MPs are chanting inside the hall. pic.twitter.com/t4brkHuVwR

— Mustafa Salim (@Mustafa_salimb) January 5, 2020

Iran has been repeatedly certifiably compliant with the terms of the deal aimed at blocking Tehran from building an atomic weapon, despite the recklessness of the United States.

According to ABC, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s administration released a statement Sunday saying Iran will no longer observe limitations on uranium enrichment or the amount of stockpiled enriched uranium. An Iranian television broadcaster explained:

“The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has in a statement announced its fifth and final step in reducing Iran’s commitments under the JCPOA. The Islamic Republic of Iran no longer faces any limitations in operations.”

However, Iran also said that it will continue cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) “as before.” The IAEA has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Iran also insists it remains open to negotiations with Europe.

As news quickly spread claiming that Iran has completely abandoned the deal, some took to social media to dispute the claims and highlight the fact that cooperation with the IAEA will continue.

Seeing lots on Iran abandoning JCPOA.

To best of my knowledge, it has not.

Measures fall under Para 36 of JCPOA.

Enrichment will be in line with "practical needs"; IAEA coop intact; and like prior steps, restrictions will be reimplemented once E3/EU adheres to committments.

— Mohammad Ali Shabani (@mashabani) January 5, 2020

There seems to be some confusion over Iran's announcement re: the JCPOA.

An Iranian official has confirmed to me that they're not leaving the nuclear deal. With this latest move, there no longer will be a limit on the # of centrifuges. IAEA cooperation & access will continue.

— Suzanne DiMaggio (@suzannedimaggio) January 5, 2020

As 5th & final REMEDIAL step under paragraph 36 of JCPOA, there will no longer be any restriction on number of centrifuges

This step is within JCPOA & all 5 steps are reversible upon EFFECTIVE implementation of reciprocal obligations

Iran's full cooperation w/IAEA will continue

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2020

Let's get the facts about the JCPOA announcement right. There are too many inaccurate headlines and tweets about this–largely because some Iranian media outlets had dramatic headlines.

Iran isn't ending ALL JCPOA commitments. It WILL continue to give IAEA access as before.

— Ariane Tabatabai (@ArianeTabatabai) January 5, 2020

The IAEA is tasked with inspecting and monitoring Iran’s uranium enrichment activities in order to verify that its level of enrichment has not exceeded the 3.67% allowed under the JCPOA.

The Islamic Republic News Agency reports that “Iran is ready to go back to its JCPOA commitments once the sanctions are removed.” Sanctions are one of the key tools the U.S. uses against Iran and are often a precursor to war. 

Regardless, the announcement is sure to elicit a response from Israel, whose government has long accused Iran of continuing to work toward creating a nuclear arsenal.

Netanyahu says Iran is building a nuclear bomb, but Israeli secret service say different http://t.co/S267EIe7wZ pic.twitter.com/jKYjO8dWAF

— The Independent (@Independent) February 24, 2015

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed conclusive proof of the secret nuclear weapons program that Iran has been hiding for years from the international community in its secret atomic archive. https://t.co/Ea6p1QMDct pic.twitter.com/P4vWoixYcq

— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 30, 2018

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control, tweeted Sunday that he hope’s Soleimani’s death “will not influence the JCPOA which is not already in good condition.” Ulyanov also called on Iran and European partners of the JCPOA to show restraint and to act rationally in an effort to save the Iran nuclear deal, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency. 

Убийство ген.Сулеймани чревато весьма негативными последствиями для ситуации в регионе. Хотелось бы, чтобы это не затронуло #СВПД, который и так находится не в лучшем состоянии. Для этого и Ирану , и западноевропейским участникам сделки следует проявлять разумную сдержанность.

— Mikhail Ulyanov (@Amb_Ulyanov) January 5, 2020

Also on Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people filled Iran’s streets, mourning the death Soleimani.

What appears to be millions attending Soleimani’s funeral procession in Ahvaz, an Iranian city usually described by mainstream media as “restive”, and hence hardly a Soleimani stronghold. Trump doesn’t know what is awaiting him across the Middle East pic.twitter.com/axTonhi13n

— Amal Saad (@amalsaad_lb) January 5, 2020

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