US Dignitaries Urge Trump to Rejoin Iran Deal

Over 50 retired American generals and diplomats have urged US President Donald Trump to reenter the Iran nuclear deal and lift sanctions on the country, arguing that such a decision will contribute to establishing a broader US national strategy for the Middle East.
In a statement organized by the American College of National Security Leaders, the senior political and military figures said rejoining the agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, would serve US national interests. 
“Iran is complying with the agreement. In a recent report, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran’s compliance to the 2015 nuclear deal, despite the United States’ withdrawal from the deal and reimposition of economic sanctions. Tehran’s continued adherence to the agreement demonstrates the Iranian government’s commitment to its initial pledge,” read the statement carried by the National Interest magazine. 
“The United States should rejoin the Iran nuclear deal,” they said, adding that the security benefits from the accord risk being lost if it unravels as a result of the US departure. 
“Reentering the Iran nuclear deal advances the United States’ national interests by ensuring these benefits persist and enables us to work more closely with our European allies in ensuring that Iran never obtains nuclear weapons.” 
Iran strongly rejects western allegations that it has been seeking to develop a nuclear weapon and says its nuclear activities are only for peaceful purposes such as generating electricity and producing medical isotopes.
 

European Allies 

The high-ranking retired officials said the main reason for rejoining the deal is that Washington’s European allies are “firmly” committed to it. 
“In a recent statement, the Council of the European Union expressed ‘resolute commitment to and continued support’ for the Iran deal, which they consider ‘a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and an achievement of multilateral diplomacy’,” they wrote. 
The European signatories to JCPOA have been at loggerheads with the US over Iran since Trump quit the painstakingly negotiated agreement last year and imposed what he has described as the “toughest ever” sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
However, Britain, France and Germany have set up a special trade channel, known as the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges or INSTEX, in a bid to counter the impact of US sanctions on Iran and save the accord. 
They hope the mechanism can be used to keep open some lines of trade between European companies and Iran. 
The retired American generals and diplomats said “reentry into the nuclear deal will contribute to establishing a broader US national strategy for the Middle East”. 
Nevertheless, they criticized Iran’s ballistic missile activities, human rights record and alleged support for terrorism. Tehran denies US accusations and says its defense program is non-negotiable. 
“Reentering the agreement and lifting the sanctions will greatly enhance the United States’ ability to negotiate improvements and enable us to address our concerns with the existing agreement,” the statement said. 
Signatories include Rear Admiral Sandy Adams, Ambassador Susan Burk, Vice Admiral Dirk Debbink, Brigadier General Robert Felderman, Major General David T. Zabecki, Ambassador Thomas Graham and Brigadier General John M. Schuster.