Trump, Congress play game of chicken with Iran
After refusing to certify that the Iran nuclear deal is in the US interest, Trump has called on Congress to unilaterally eliminate the deal’s sunset provisions.
President Donald Trump’s refusal to certify that the 2015 nuclear accord is in the US interest sets the stage for a high-stakes game of chicken with Iran.
Rather than outright leaving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the president and his team are working with Congress to automatically reimpose nuclear sanctions if Iran comes within one year of being able to produce nuclear weapons. Critics of the deal say that will fix flaws with the deal’s so-called sunset provisions.
“In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated,” Trump announced today. “It is under continuous review, and our participation can be canceled by me, as president, at any time.”
Trump said such legislation would help “make all restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activity permanent under US law.” Others, however, worry it will have the opposite effect.
