FOREIGN POLICY/IRAN/NATIONAL SECURITY/NUCLEAR: “European diplomats say they are increasingly concerned the Trump administration will stretch out its review of the Iranian nuclear deal, undermining the agreement by curbing the economic benefits designed to ensure Iran’s compliance.
President Donald Trump has attacked the agreement, reached in 2015, as a ‘terrible deal’ for the U.S.
European officials have remained publicly upbeat about the U.S. remaining a party to the deal, but diplomats privately voice serious concerns about where the U.S. review is headed. They say Washington is providing little feedback, has given no firm end-date for the review and hasn’t made clear who is shaping the process.
European officials still believe the Trump administration won’t abandon the nuclear deal, but many fear Washington will keep it under a rolling review. That, they say, would crimp economic benefits Iran expected from the agreement by persuading already cautious Western banks and investors to stay away—whereas President Barack Obama’s top officials urged engagement with Tehran. European diplomats also worry that if the U.S. commitment remains uncertain, Iran may respond by attempting limited violations.”
-Laurence Norman, “Europe Wary as U.S. Scrutinizes Iran Nuclear Deal,” The Wall Street Journal online, July 11, 2017 05:30am