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16:59, 14-Oct-2017
Expert: Decertifying Iran nuclear deal does the US no good
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Among mounting criticism over his intention to recertify the Iran nuclear deal, US President Donald Trump tweeted on Friday, "Participants in the deal are making lots of money on trade with Iran." In other words, the US president is saying that his European partners are upholding the pact to protect their own interests.
"This is partially true, because many European companies have been returning to Iran since sanctions were lifted last January. They are investing billions of dollars in sectors like energy, auto industry and telecommunications," said Ahmad Majidyar, director of the IranObserved project at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.
But Majidyar emphasized that European countries’ bigger concern is that Tehran might restart its nuclear program if the current deal was dropped. And there is no alternative in sight to replace the pact.
European countries do share America’s concerns over Tehran’s ballistic missile program, but they also believe that the issue should be dealt with separately, he told CGTN’s Global Watch program.
Majidyar said Trump’s unilateral move to pull out of the deal will do the US no good in containing Iran.
"Washington needs the support from the international community, especially those signatories of the deal, to pressure Tehran on regional issues," according to Majidyar.
"Any unilateral action against Iran has not worked before and will not work now."