Iran Nuclear Deal: US will make decision to stay in or withdraw this week

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Europe

02:50

President Trump says he's made his decision on the Iran nuclear deal - and, will reveal it Tuesday afternoon. All other countries in the deal support the existing agreement, which came together after two years of negotiations. Washington's European allies have said the deal is working, and have argued against a threatened U-S withdrawal. C-G-T-N's Jim Spellman reports from Washington.

The Iran nuclear deal was met with great optimism when it was implemented in early 2016.

JOHN KERRY FORMER US SECRETARY OF STATE "Today marks the moment that the Iran nuclear agreement transitions from an ambitious set of promises on paper, to measurable action and progress."

Formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, the Iran nuclear deal came together in 2015 after nearly 2 years of negotiations. The US, China, The UK, France, Germany and Russia all agreed to reduce sanctions in exchange for Iran reducing its ability to create nuclear weapons.

As part of the deal, Iran would take steps to extend the time required to build a nuclear weapon agreeing to greatly reduce its uranium stockpiles, limit future uranium enrichment levels and dismantle most of the centrifuges needed to enrich uranium. In exchange, the international community would gradually lift sanctions and release frozen Iranian assets.

Some provisions of the deal last 10 years-others 15 or 25 years. Others are permanent-like Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. International inspectors have access to Iranian nuclear facilities to verify compliance.

So far, the UN certifies Iran has complied with its end of the bargain. but U.S. President Donald Trump - backed by Israel - says that's not good enough. He argues the deal expires too quickly and doesn't address Iran non-nuclear missile program or Iran's role in regional conflicts.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "The Iran deal is a disaster. They're testing missiles. What is that all about? You look at the ballistic missiles that they're going and testing, what kind of a deal is it where you're allowed to test missiles, all over the place. What kind of a deal is it when you don't talk about Yemen."

Trump says the deal must be altered or the U.S. will pull out. Iran says it will not alter the agreement.

MOHAMMAD JAVAD ZARIF IRANIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER "The U.S. is well advised to finally start honoring its commitments, or it, and only it, will have to accept responsibility for the consequences of not doing so."

All countries in the deal, except the U.S., support the existing agreement-as does the UN.

IZUMI NAKAMITSU UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL & HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISARMAMENT AFFAIRS, UN "The Secretary-General remains convinced that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action continues to be the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, and to realize the promised tangible economic benefits for the Iranian people."

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON "But there is every sign Trump is willing to go it alone. If the U.S. pulls out, the other countries could remain in the deal, but international firms could face U.S. sanctions for doing business with Iran."