President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, saying he will reinstate economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
“The deal lifted crippling economic sanctions on Iran, in exchange for very weak limits on the regime’s nuclear activities,” Trump said.
Trump said that the deal “should have never been made. It didn’t bring peace, and it never will.”
Live Updates:
4:59 A.M.: Japan says will closely watch impact of U.S. withdrawal from Iran deal (Reuters)
Foreign Minister Taro Kono said on Wednesday Japan would closely monitor the impact of the U.S. decision to withdraw from the deal. Kono said Japan would continue close talks with related nations towards maintaining a deal, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4:00 A.M.: UN secretary general ‘deeply concerned’ by U.S. withdrawal (DPA)
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he is “deeply concerned” by the U.S. decision to reinstate sanctions on Iran. Guterres said in a statement the deal “represents a major achievement in nuclear non-proliferation and diplomacy and has contributed to regional and international peace and security.” Concerns about the deal should be dealt with through its own mechanisms, and issues not directly related to it “should be addressed without prejudice to preserving the agreement and its accomplishments,” Guterres added.
3:15 A.M.: Stoltenberg calls for ‘comprehensive solution’ to Iran nukes issue (Reuters)
ATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has called for a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue following Trump’s announcement.
“As the U.S. withdraws from the Iran deal, we encourage all parties to work for a comprehensive political solution to move Iran further away from developing nuclear weapons,” Stoltenberg said according to NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu. NATO welcomed the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015, and called on Iran to implement it in full,” Lungescu said. “It is not for NATO to assess whether Iran is in compliance with the agreement.”
12:46 A.M.: Trump, Macron speak, ‘reaffirm their shared commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East,’ White House says
12:33 A.M.: Explosions near Damascus reportedly caused by Israel bombing Iranian missiles to thwart imminent attack
