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BRITAIN-IRAN-NUCLEAR-DIPLOMACY
UK PM says ‘Trump deal’ could replace Iran nuclear pact
LONDON, Jan 14, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said
on Tuesday he would be willing to work on a “Trump deal” to replace an
international accord designed to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
“If we are going to get rid of it then we need a replacement,” Johnson
said of the 2015 nuclear deal that Britain and other European powers have
been trying to salvage since President Donald Trump pulled the United States
out in 2018.
Britain, France and Germany announced on Tuesday they were launching a
dispute mechanism under the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA), because Iran was not meeting its commitments.
Johnson said a “Trump deal” would be “a great way forward”, but did not
specify the details of the proposal.
His idea stands at odds with Tuesday’s statement from Britain, France and
Germany, which expressed “determination to work with all participants to
preserve” the deal.
“From the American perspective it’s a flawed agreement, it expires, plus
it was negotiated by (former) President Obama,” Johnson said.
“President Trump is a great deal-maker — by his own account and many
others. Let’s work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal
instead.”
Tehran has wound down its compliance since the American withdrawal and
last week, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the non-compliance had
become “so acute” that European powers were looking at taking action.
He said London wanted to see Iran “come back to full compliance” and said
triggering the dispute resolution mechanism was one option.
The mechanism could ultimately lead to the UN Security Council reimposing
sanctions on Iran.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1829 hrs