#Iran: Trump's solo run is a dangerous game with fire, say Greens

President Donald Trump on Tuesday (8 May) pulled the United States out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, and said he would reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran immediately.

The 2015 deal - worked out between Iran and the United States, France, Germany, the UK, the EU, China, and Russia - eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme.

Responding to the news, European Green Party co-chairs Reinhard Bütikofer and Monica Frassoni said: “In one fell swoop Donald Trump has trashed over a decade of carefully-crafted international diplomacy. In doing that, he broke an important cooperation with the EU, China and Russia. The problems, that Iran is posing in the region, will only grow as a result of Trump's rash decision.

“The people of Iran are already suffering from a deep economic crisis. This situation can only aggravate under newly imposed US sanctions. It is also probable, that the renunciation of the Iranian nuclear deal will embolden Iran's more radical forces.

"President Trump's decision increases the risks of military conflict in the region and of a dangerous arms race as countries may scramble to acquire nuclear weapons.

“The European Union will be hard put to counter Trump’s tactics with a calmer, more measured and long-sighted response.

“Trump has already shown he is prepared to turn his back on the rest of the world.  He does so at a huge cost to the U.S. and to everybody else.

“It is imperative that European leaders remain committed to the Iranian deal and its implementation.”

Ska Keller, president of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, called for the other contracting parties to abide by the agreement: "Donald Trump's solo run is a dangerous game with fire. The agreement with Iran reduces the risk of nuclear conflict in the unstable region. The unilateral withdrawal of the American President is irresponsible and fuels the risk of a nuclear arms race.

"The European Union must take the initiative to maintain the agreement so that Iran fulfils its commitments under the Iran deal. Economic gains are an incentive for Iran to suspend the nuclear programme, with economic sanctions the deal does not work out anymore."

Philippe Lamberts, president of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, called for international control by the International Atomic Energy Agency: "The US government is escalating the conflict. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the sole responsible for verifying Iran´s compliance with the agreement, has confirmed that Iran is fulfilling its obligations. International control creates security and reliability for both sides.

"Negotiations on the missile programme and on Iran's military participation in Yemen and Syria cannot take place in the Iran deal as Trump pretends. The European Union should now take the initiative for a regional forum for dialogue and a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction."

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