FOREIGN POLICY/IRAN/NUCLEAR/SANCTIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The U.S. is pulling out of the Iranian nuclear accord, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday [5-8-18], dismantling his predecessor’s signature foreign-policy achievement and bucking the wishes of key allies around the globe. Speaking in the Diplomatic Room of the White House, Mr. Trump delivered harsh words about the deal, calling it ‘horrible,’ ‘one-sided’ and ‘disastrous.’ The president said he planned to institute ‘the highest level of economic sanctions’ against Iran, and said the U.S. would sanction any nations that help Iran pursue nuclear weapons. Administration officials said the Iran sanctions are immediately back in effect, banning new contracts and financial deals but giving businesses and banks either 90 or 180 days to wind down existing ties, depending on the particular type of transaction…U.S. intelligence officials, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog and European allies have repeatedly said Iran was complying with the accord. The president said he ‘engaged extensively’ with allies and partners in recent months, including France, Germany and the U.K. “We are unified in our understanding of the threat,” he said. French President Emmanuel Macron last month urged Mr. Trump not to withdraw from the accord.”
-Michael C. Bender and Rebecca Ballhaus, “Trump Withdraws U.S. From Iran Accord,” The Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2018 2:49 pm