As the week concluded, the White House eased more sanctions related to Tehran, potentially paving the way for a restored nuclear deal; State Department: The waiver with respect to these activities is designed to facilitate discussions that would help to close a deal on a mutual return to full implementation of the JCPOA.
Following many months of failed nuclear talks, the Biden administration has now eased sanctions connected to the Islamic Republic in an attempt to restore the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iran nuclear deal. The JCPOA was installed under the Obama administration to deter Tehran from obtaining nuclear weaponry – a deal that Iran violated the terms of time and time again.
Following the formal US withdrawal from the deal in 2018, nuclear discussions in Vienna have failed routinely. The Biden administration’s decision to reverse multiple sanctions removed a lot of the pressure on Tehran installed under the Trump White House. In particular, the eased sanctions relate to countries like China, Russia, and several throughout Europe with ties to Iran’s nuclear program.
A statement released by the State Department said, “The waiver with respect to these activities is designed to facilitate discussions that would help to close a deal on a mutual return to full implementation of the JCPOA and lay the groundwork for Iran’s return to the performance of its JCPOA commitments.”
Following the announcement by the Biden State Department, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted, “Biden lifting sanctions on Iran. Iran giving nothing in return. Ayatollah seeing weakness. Israel more at risk. This looks like desperation and Americans will pay the price.”
Should the JCPOA be restored in the weeks or months to come, Iran will once again be enabled to advance its nuclear program at an alarming rate.
