World Response to Trump’s Deplorable Address on Iran

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)

His Friday address on decertifying the Iran nuclear deal was more clear proof he’s unfit for any public office.

He’s an embarrassment to the high position he holds, a rogue leader, a menace as commander-in-chief of America’s military, his finger on the nuclear trigger threatening humanity.

World reaction to his remarks was sharp. Iranian scholar/President Hassan Rouhani blasted him justifiably in a nationally televised address, saying:

“Mr. Trump’s remarks on Iran…contained nothing but expletives and a pile of delusional allegations against the Iranian nation.”

“He apparently does not know that this is not a bilateral document between Iran and the US for him to act in any way he wishes.”

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) won’t be revised or altered in any way, Rouhani stressed. All its articles and principles will remain intact.

“Iran will honor its commitments as long as its interests are served. (I)f one day our interests are not served, we will not hesitate even one moment and will respond” appropriately.

“Our missiles are for our defense,” not offense. “(W)e will redouble our efforts from now on and will continue enhancing our defensive” capabilities.

Iran’s armed forces and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps defend the nation’s security, combating terrorism, not supporting it like Washington.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called Trump’s address “inane,” stressing “(a)llegations, threats and profanity will never intimidate Iranians,” adding:

“Everyone knew Trump’s friendship was for sale to the highest bidder. We now know that his geography is too” – calling the Persian Gulf the “Arabian Gulf.”

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini’s response to Trump’s address and stern demeanor in delivering it was her sharpest condemnation of US policy I can recall, saying:

The JCPOA is an international agreement, including America as a signatory. It “does not belong to any single country. (T)here is not one single country in the world that can terminate a UN Security Council resolution that has been adopted, and adopted unanimously, and implemented, and verified.”

“It is clearly not in the hands of any president of any country in the world to terminate an agreement of this sort. The president of the United States has many powers (but) not this one.”

“We cannot afford as an international community, as Europe for sure, to dismantle an agreement that is working and delivering.”

Tough talk, clearly showing anger about Trump’s deplorable address, the view shared by many other world leaders.

IAEA head Yukia Amano reiterated earlier remarks, saying “(a)s I have reported to the Board of Governors, the nuclear-related commitments undertaken by Iran under the JCPOA are being implemented” satisfactorily.

“The IAEA’s verification and monitoring activities address all the nuclear-related elements under the JCPOA.” 

“They are undertaken in an impartial and objective manner and in accordance with the modalities defined by the JCPOA and standard safeguards practice.”

In a joint statement, Germany’s Angela Merkel, Britain’s Theresa May and France’s Emmanuel Macron (representing three P5+1 countries) said the following:

“We encourage the US Administration and Congress to consider the implications to the security of the US and its allies before taking any steps that might undermine the JCPOA, such as re-imposing sanctions on Iran lifted under the agreement.”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry blasted Trump’s address, saying “threatening” and “aggressive” rhetoric has no place in international diplomacy.

“It is a hangover from the past, which does not correspond to modern norms of civilized dealings between countries.”

“We viewed with regret the decision of the US President not to confirm to Congress that Iran is fulfilling in good faith.”

Through his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a tepid response to Trump’s address, saying he “very much hopes that (the deal) will remain in place,” calling it a “very important breakthrough to consolidate nuclear non-proliferation and advance global peace and security.”

China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying issued a statement saying:

“We believe this deal is important to ensuring the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and regional peace and stability. We hope all parties can continue to preserve and implement this deal.”

China’s Global Times remarked more strongly, saying “Washington cannot unilaterally decide Iran nuclear deal’s future.”

Netanyahu disgracefully praised what he called Trump’s “courageous decision” not to recertify the JCPOA. Saudi Arabia welcomed his “firm strategy on Iran.”

Trump’s extreme hostility toward Iran and the nuclear deal isolates him in the world community – supported only by rogue state Israel and despotic Gulf monarchies.

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