News Analysis |
US President Donald Trump said that Iran exports violence, chaos, and bloodshed while its government hides a corrupt dictatorship behind the farce of democracy. He took on one of the bastions of the Muslim world while addressing the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
With Iran’s Middle East policies a cause of consternation, the deal’s future looks dark. Iran has also added to US frustration by solidifying ties with Qatar
Trump carried his spite for Tehran in the UNGA, reiterating his assertion that Iran is the biggest supporter of terrorism. “The longest-suffering victims of Iran’s leaders are, in fact, its own people. Rather than use its resources to improve Iranian live, its oil profits go to fund Hezbollah and other terrorists that kill innocent Muslims and attack their peaceful Arab and Israeli neighbors,” said Trump, adding to growing tensions between the two countries.
This is the second time when Trump has openly labeled Iran as a rogue state in a multilateral forum. In May this year, he enjoined upon all states to counter the terrorist state while addressing the Riyadh Summit.
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Experts have cautioned against abandoning the deal, for it would make Iran take the little strides they need to go nuclear. The Supreme Leader on Sunday said that the US must not bully Iran over the deal
While addressing the UNGA Trump said: “This wealth, which rightly belongs to Iran’s people, also goes to shore up Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship, fuel Yemen’s civil war, and undermine peace throughout the entire Middle East.” The US, it must be stressed is at loggerheads with Iranian policies in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, besides Iran’s open challenge to its allies in Israel. This has resulted in both countries unable to see eye to eye despite fighting the same enemy in ISIS.
The US and Iran missed a chance to start cooperating with each other when Trump taunted Iran when its capital was attacked by ISIS in June this year. Hardliners in Iran got a legit reason to whip up anti-American feelings with the Supreme Leader even going on to say that ISIS is a creation of the US.
Trump implored: “It is time for the entire world to join us in demanding that Iran’s government and its pursuit of death and destruction must stop. Above all, Iran’s government must stop supporting terrorists, begin serving its own people, and respect the sovereign rights of its neighbors.” Top US officials in Defense Chief Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have inkled towards the need for regime change in Iran.
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JCPOA on life support
Tensions have exacerbated between the two countries ever since Trump took over the reins after a thaw which was achieved when the Obama administration and President Hasan Rouhani agreed on the Iran nuclear deal. Trump echoed his campaign-days view on the deal in his address on Tuesday.
The Iran deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States
He said: “We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilizing activities while building dangerous missiles, and we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program. The Iran deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States, and I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it. Believe me.”
The last month has been a tough one for the deal as its future looks dark. Despite ratifying Iran’s compliance in July, there were indications that Trump will walk away from the deal; the speech has added to the fears. However, the imposition of more sanctions on the Islamic Republic merited a strong response from Tehran. Hasan Rouhani warned that if the country is pushed despite compliance with the deal, it would walk away from the deal.
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The US, it must be stressed is at loggerheads with Iranian policies in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, besides Iran’s open challenge to its allies in Israel
It is amply evident that the deal is being targeted for aspects which are not related to it. Experts have cautioned against abandoning the deal, for it would make Iran take the little strides they need to go nuclear. The Supreme Leader on Sunday said that the US must not bully Iran over the deal. Given that the Ayatollah was a strong critic of the deal, further pressure from the US will mean a quick end to the agreement.
Reacting to Trump’s speech, Iran’s foreign minister, Javad Zarif said that his remarks are unworthy of a reply. He tweeted: “Trump’s ignorant hate speech belongs in medieval times-not the 21st Century UN -unworthy of a reply. Fake empathy for Iranians fools no one.”
Trump’s ignorant hate speech belongs in medieval times-not the 21st Century UN -unworthy of a reply. Fake empathy for Iranians fools no one.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 19, 2017
Trump’s criticism of the JCPOA was not likened by France. The French President, Emmanuel Macron warned that if JCPOA is disturbed, a nuclear weapons contest will ensue and will invoke a North Korea-like emergency.
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With Iran’s Middle East policies a cause of consternation, the deal’s future looks dark. Iran has also added to US frustration by solidifying ties with Qatar; and the impending Hezbollah-Israel confrontation in the mix, the US may walk away from the deal in a bid to hurt Iran.