‘US senators preparing tough terms for Iran deal’

The draft, seen by Reuters on Tuesday, sets tough new terms for the nuclear deal, formally known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including restoration of sanctions if Iran tests a ballistic missile capable of carrying a warhead or prevents nuclear inspectors from visiting any sites.

The motion, according to the report, was already under preparation when Trump delivered his anti-Iran speech on October 13, in which he said he would not be certifying Iran’s compliance with the terms of the JCPOA under a domestic American law, kicking to Congress a decision on whether to restore sanctions against Iran.

Trump did not pull Washington out of the JCPOA, but he gave the US Congress 60 days to decide whether to re-impose the economic sanctions against Tehran that were lifted under the pact.

The draft legislation is a proposed amendment to the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act passed in 2015. It extends the US administration’s assessment of Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal, but adds other issues to be examined, such as trade with Iran or ensuring that Tehran is using US-licensed aircraft for civilian purposes.

It also stipulates that the US would immediately re-impose or “snap back” sanctions against Iran if the country were deemed capable of developing a nuclear weapon within a year.
Re-imposing sanctions would put the US at odds with other signatories to the accord and the European Union.

Critics warn that if the legislation, drafted by Republican senators Bob Corker and Tom Cotton with support from the Trump administration, is enacted, it could put the US in breach of the international pact.

/SR