Trump Leaning Toward Decertifying Iran Nuclear Deal, Sources Say

[DonViejo]

Last edited Thu Sep 21, 2017, 08:46 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: NBC News



SEP 20 2017, 10:16 PM ET

by HALLIE JACKSON, CAROL E. LEE, VIVIAN SALAMA and KRISTEN WELKER

President Donald Trump is leaning toward decertifying the Iran nuclear deal and putting the decision of whether the United States withdraw from the accord in the hands of Congress, according to four sources — including a senior administration official — familiar with the White House deliberations.

Such a move would come before an Oct. 15 deadline and would trigger a 60-day window for lawmakers to determine whether to reimpose sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program that were lifted as part of the 2015 agreement. The president's goal during that time is to prod America's European allies, who are part of the nuclear deal, to agree to renegotiate some provisions and pressure Iran back into talks.

Still, several of the sources cautioned that the president could change his mind over the next three weeks as he faces pushback from allies internationally.

Trump told reporters Wednesday that he has "decided" on a plan of action, but he declined to provide specifics. Asked for comment, a White House spokesperson said the president will announce further details when he's ready. The senior administration official said that the president has resolved not to continue the "status quo" but that he's considering at least one other option related to the deal.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-leaning-toward-decertifying-iran-nuclear-deal-say-sources-n803121

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UPDATE:

Trump pushes to reopen Iran nuclear deal, and asks allies to help

By Peter Baker and Rick Gladstone NEW YORK TIMES SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

NEW YORK — President Trump is seeking to reopen the nuclear agreement with Iran to toughen its provisions rather than scrap it right away as he has threatened, using his visit to the United Nations this week to enlist support from allies to pressure Tehran to return to the negotiating table, administration officials said Wednesday.

Trump, who denounced the agreement in a speech to the UN General Assembly this week as an “embarrassment to the United States,” wants to modify it by extending its time frame and imposing new limits on Iran’s development of ballistic missiles. Although European officials strongly back the deal, some signaled openness to negotiating a separate follow-up agreement.

The maneuvering suggested a possible path forward for Trump short of abandoning the accord, but it remains uncertain whether he can reach consensus with the European allies, much less with Russia and China, the deal’s other patrons.

Even if he succeeded, persuading Tehran to reopen talks would be a challenge. President Hassan Rouhani of Iran declared the agreement a “closed issue” on Wednesday, warning that if the United States pulled out, Iran could resume uranium enrichment.

“We see today the Americans are seeking an excuse to break this agreement,” Rouhani said at a news conference after his own speech to the General Assembly. For that reason, he said, negotiating with “an American government that tramples on a legal agreement would be a waste of time.”

more
http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2017/09/20/iranian-president-rips-into-trump-rogue-newcomer-world-politics/0PoBWy0sqMPOizN2SeZEEL/story.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. And what would that accomplish?

U.S. would be out in the cold as the *other* countries supporting the nuclear deal would remain committed. The deal would not become invalidated with one country leaving and if the U.S. used its action as a premise for sanctions or attack on Iran, it would not be supported by the world community.

[TubbersUK]

2. Which would confirm to North Korea that negotiation & agreements are worthless

While encouraging Iran to go the North Korea path

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Was there ever a doubt?

Surprised Trump hasn't banned Obama's favorite foods.

[Ligyron]

4. Maybe this will give him cover to support DACA?

Nevermind.

[Botany]

5. Ernie Moniz's bio ... the man who helped to write up the deal

ATTN Trump If Ernie isn't the best in the world @ understanding the issues in nuclear deals then the
list of people who are as good or better is pretty damn short.



Prior to his appointment, Dr. Moniz was the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was a faculty member since 1973. At MIT, he headed the Department of Physics and the Bates Linear Accelerator Center. Most recently, Dr. Moniz served as the founding Director of the MIT Energy Initiative and as Director of the MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment where he was a leader of multidisciplinary technology and policy studies on the future of nuclear power, coal, nuclear fuel cycles, natural gas and solar energy in a low-carbon world.

From 1997 until January 2001, Dr. Moniz served as Under Secretary of the Department of Energy. He was responsible for overseeing the Department’s science and energy programs, leading a comprehensive review of nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship, and serving as the Secretary’s special negotiator for the disposition of Russian nuclear materials. From 1995 to 1997, he served as Associate Director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President.

In addition to his work at MIT, the White House and the Department of Energy, Dr. Moniz has served on a number of boards of directors and commissions involving science, energy and security. These include President Obama’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the Department of Defense Threat Reduction Advisory Committee, and the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future.

snip

Dr. Moniz received a Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude in Physics from Boston College, a Doctorate in Theoretical Physics from Stanford University, and honorary degrees from the University of Athens, Boston College, Boston University, the University of Erlangen-Nurenberg, Iowa State University, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Michigan State University and Universidad Pontificia de Comillas. He has been awarded the Distinguished Public Service Medal of the Department of Defense, and the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator.

https://energy.gov/contributors/dr-ernest-moniz

[joeybee12]

6. If Obama had cured cancer, the orange Nazi would try to reverse that

Pathetic unelected garbage

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Of course he is. It was President Obama and John Kerry who negotiated this

deal to avoid nuclear confrontations. But 45 would rather incinerate half the globe. I detest that subhuman.