The 2015 nuclear deal signed by Iran, the United States and other world powers has benefited US national security, a group of 38 retired US generals and admirals wrote in an open letter to US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
The former US military officers wrote the letter to mark the two-year anniversary of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, concluded in July 2015 by Iran, the European Union and the P5+1 group of nations, namely the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and China plus Germany, Sputnik reported.
“The international accord successfully blocked Iran’s paths to a nuclear weapon and has greatly strengthened the security of the United States and our allies,” the letter stated.
Iran denies the claim that its nuclear activities might have had military aspects, saying the program is totally for peaceful applications.
Under the terms of the deal, nuclear-related sanctions on Iran were lifted in exchange for assurances Tehran’s nuclear program would remain peaceful.
In the letter, the military officers noted that Iran has complied with its obligations under JCPOA by dismantling two-thirds of its centrifuges, shipping out 98% of its stockpiled uranium and removing the core of its heavy-water reactor.
The officers also urged Trump to establish “diplomatic channels” with Tehran to ensure the continued implementation of the deal and “resolve national security crises” that may occur.
Trump and Republicans in Congress have criticized JCPOA, with Trump decrying it as one of the worst deals in history. He has not followed through with his promise to unilaterally withdraw from the agreement, but the administration is currently reviewing whether lifting sanctions on Iran is in the interest of US national security.
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