Trump made his announcement from the White House on Tuesday.
By JPOST.COM STAFF, Lahav Harkov
22:36] Wrapup: Trump removes U.S. from Iran Deal
United States President Donald Trump withdrew the country on Tuesday from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a 2015 deal signed to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. World leaders reacted with a wide-range of responses, which were live-blogged below.
[22:21]: U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham welcomes decision
“The agreement has always been fatally flawed when it came to controlling Iranian nuclear ambitions… I hope President Trump will work with our allies around the world to find a better deal,” the senator wrote on Twitter.
[22:14] U.S. Ambassador to Israel calls decision ‘best approach’
“President Trump was true to his word and showed great leadership in his courageous decision on #Iran. He chose a path of strength to lever Iran to an acceptable deal and end its ever-expanding malign activity. Best approach for USA and the world,” United States Ambassador to Israel David Friedman wrote on Twitter
[22:07]: Saudi Ambassador to U.S. praises decision
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fully supports the measures taken by @POTUS with regards to the JCPOA. we always had reservations with regards to sunset clauses, ballistic missiles program, and Iran’s support for terrorism in the region,” Saudi Ambassador to the United States Khalid bin Salman wrote on Twitter
[21:59] U.S. Senator Warren: Recipe for disaster
“Even the Trump Administration has conceded that Iran is complying with the deal. Now @realdonaldtrump has pulled out without offering any real alternative to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Creating chaos and confusion isn’t a strategy – it’s a recipe for disaster,” U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wrote in a Tweet.
[21:57] Mogherini calls others to honor Iran deal after Trump pulls out
BRUSSELS – The top European Union diplomat, Federica Mogherini, on Tuesday called on the international community to stick to the Iran nuclear deal despite US President Donald Trump announcing he was pulling out and would reimpose sanctions on Tehran.
“I am particularly worried by the announcement tonight of new sanctions,” Mogherini said. “The European Union is determined to preserve it,” she said of the world powers’ 2015 agreement with Tehran. “Together with the rest of the international community, we will preserve this nuclear deal.”
Reuters contributed to this report
[21:56] World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder praises decision
World Jewish Congress Ronald Lauder praised Trump’s decision in a statement.
“Iran is a rogue nation ruled by a regime that cannot be trusted to honor its word, and even more so with nuclear capabilities that would enable it to wreak havoc on the world and cause a catastrophic arms race in the region,” Lauder said.
“President Trump has taken a courageous step today in making it ever clear to the Islamic Republic that he will not stand by in silence as it continues to subvert the nuclear agreement and exploit the good faith of the international community. We urge other countries to follow this administration’s example and not allow Iran to flout international law.”
[21:55] Joint List MKs blast Trump’s decision
Joint List MK Ahmed Tibi called Trump a warmonger and said his decision is “a disaster that endangers the entire world.” His Joint List colleague MK Dov Henin said Trump and Netanyahu act as they do on Iran because they’re afraid of their criminal probes.
Gil Hoffman contributed to this report.
[21:54] Rouhani slams Trump’s decision to withdraw from JCPOA, says will turn to Russia, China and Europeans
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani slammed the decision on state television.
“Unlike Iran, which is committed to the agreements it signs, we have seen what we have said for 40 years that the United States is not fulfilling its commitments.” “The US supports terrorism and the recent history attests to this.”
“The Iranian government has fulfilled its commitment to the nuclear agreement.”
“This agreement was not between Iran and the United States, but an international agreement”
“We must wait for the decisions of the five major countries regarding Trump’s decision,” he said.
Yasser Okbi/Maariv contributed to this report.
[21:50] U.S. Ambassador to Germany: Companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately.
“As @realDonaldTrump said, US sanctions will target critical sectors of Iran’s economy. German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately,” newly appointed United States Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell wrote on Twitter.
[21:45] Danon calls Trump’s move a ‘historic decision’
Israel Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon praised the decision.
“This is a historic decision that provides the prospect for a new era of security and stability in the Middle East. A united front against this regime that promotes terror and sows instability can put an end to the Iranian aggression which threatens our region and the entire international community.”
[21:43] Rivlin: Significant step in ensuring the security of the State of Israel
Reuven Rivlin: “The decision made by the president of the United States constitutes a significant step in ensuring the security of the State of Israel, the security of the region and the security of the entire free world.
Along with the nuclear threat, we do not forget for a moment the arms race that Iran is leading on our borders and we follow the developments closely and responsibly, in order to protect the security of our citizens. The threat of Iranian consolidation is not placed at the door of the State of Israel alone, and therefore international pressure is necessary to combat this danger.”
Julianne Helmhold contributed to this report.
[21:39] Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid responds
Yesh Atid leader MK Yair Lapid thanked Trump for standing with Israel, and said Israel should use all its diplomatic might to enlist Europe, China and Russia to follow his lead and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
“Just as in the past I worked with the government to cancel the bad nuclear deal, I will not make calculations of coalition and opposition this time, either,” he stated.
Lahav Harkov contributed to this report.
[21:39] Macron says France, Germany, UK ‘regret’ decision
[21:39] Zandberg sees ‘bad decision’ while Edelstein praises decision
Meretz chairwoman MK Tamar Zandberg said there is no reason to celebrate.
“This is a bad decision that puts the citizens of Israel and the world’s lives in danger,” she warned.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein said “Trump leaving the deal is further proof that the Iranians never abandoned their plan to obtain weapons of mass destruction. Now, all the countries that are party to the agreement should understand this and leave…Only harsh sanctions will bring the winning blow and strangle the Iranian nuclear plan and regime.”
Lahav Harkov contributed to this report.
[21:37]: Iranian state TV says Trump decision is illegal
ANKARA – Iranian state television said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal was “illegal, illegitimate and undermines international agreements.”
Trump said he was reimposing economic sanctions on Iran and pulling the United States out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Tehran from obtaining a nuclear bomb.
Reuters contributed to this report.
[21:36] Israeli minister react to Trump’s announcement
Deputy Minister for Diplomacy Michael Oren, the former Israeli ambassador to the US who pushed back against former president Barack Obama’s policies towards Iran, said: “A deadly threat has been lifted…The Middle East and the world will be safer and better able to stop Iran.”
Culture Minister Miri Regev compared Trump’s announcement to the Balfour Declaration, in which the British government committed to the establishment of a Jewish home in Palestine. Regev also praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination in combatting the Iranian nuclear threat.
Zionist Union lawmaker Shelly Yacimovich said “the deal is flawed, but the situation could get worse to the point of accelerated nuclearization of Iran or the risk of a war. We should hope that the way will be found to a new agreement.
Lahav Harkov contributed to this report
[21:35] U.S. Governor Kasich calls decision a ‘mistake’
[21:31] Intelligence Minister Katz: Brave and historic decision
Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz called Trump’s decision “brave and historic,” and compared it to the US President’s behavior towards North Korea, saying the only way to stop dictatorships that want nuclear weapons is through sanctions and willingness to use force.
Lahav Harkov contributed to this report.
[21:28] Netanyahu: Iran would have had enough material to develop a full arsenal of bombs
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said of President Trump’s decision that this courageous decision is the right one. “If the agreement had been maintained, it would have allowed Iran enough material to develop a full arsenal of bombs.”
Maariv contributed to this report.
[21:25] Liberman: Trump told Iran ‘enough’
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman praised the decision to remove the US from the JCOPA.
“President Trump, leader of the free world, said this evening to the Ayatollahs in a clear and decisive voice: enough!”, he said in a statement.
“Iran is a dictatorship that supports and funds terror and death all over the world. Iran itself is a terrorist entity that aspires to nuclear weapons. This is a courageous leadership step that will eventually lead to the fall of this terrible and cruel regime.”
[21:21] IDf orders bomb shelters opened due to Iranian troop movement in Syria
Following the identification of irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria, the IDF has decided to change the civilian protection instructions in the Golan Heights and instructs local authorities to unlock and ready shelters in the area.
The Israeli public should remain attentive to IDF instructions that will be given if necessary.
Additionally, defense systems have been deployed and IDF troops are on high alert for an attack.
The IDF is prepared for various scenarios and warns that any aggression against Israel will be met with a severe response.
JPost.com staff
[21:17] Trump, citing Israeli intel, says if deal stands Middle East would face an arms race announces withdraw
United States President Donald Trump, citing intelligence shown by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, said the Middle East would embark on a nuclear arms race.
“This was a horrible, one sided deal that should have never, ever been made,” he said. “If I allowed this deal to stand, there would soon be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East… I am announcing today that US will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.”
JPost.com staff
Background: World braces Trump’s Iran deal decision
Ahead of a May 12th deadline to renew waivers on sanctions, United States President Donald Trump announced the US would be leaving the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Tuesday.
European leaders spent Tuesday bracing for Trump’s withdraw, saying US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “let it be known that it was over” in a phone call last week.
JPost.com staff, Reuters contributed to this report.