Iran Pulling Out of JCPOA Commitment after U.S. Strike that Killed Soleimani

Iran said Sunday that it was ending its commitment to limit enrichment of uranium as part of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, more fallout from the U.S. strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal in May 2018, renewing tensions between the two countries that reached new heights after Friday’s air strike.

Iran’s state television reported Sunday that it will no longer abide by the limits of the deal, which restricted nuclear development in exchange for the easing of crippling economic sanctions.

The agreement placed limits on Tehran’s uranium enrichment, the amount of stockpiled enriched uranium as well as research and development in its nuclear activities.

America’s European allies have attempted to salvage the deal despite Trump’s decision to withdraw and reimpose sanctions, but Iran has gradually reduced its commitments and now leaves the deal in tatters.

The country’s foreign ministry said earlier Sunday that recent events meant it would take an even bigger step away from the deal than initially planned.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif confirmed the news on Twitter, stating that there “will no longer be any restriction on number of centrifuges.”

“This step is within JCPOA & all 5 steps are reversible upon EFFECTIVE implementation of reciprocal obligations,” Zarif said.

The foreign minister added that the country will still cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton claimed that it was “another good day” in a tweet after Zarif’s statement.

“Iran rips the mask off the idea it ever fully complied with the nuclear deal, or that it made a strategic decision to forswear nuclear weapons,” Bolton said.

The former Trump administration official said that the “real job” going forward was to stop the country’s leaders from obtaining such capabilities.

Read full article on NBC News, January 5, 2020