This Is How the World Reacted to U.S. Walking Out of Iran Nuclear Deal

President Donald Trump signed an executive order today that withdrew the U.S. from the Iran P5+1 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Along with choosing to walk out of the Iran Nuclear Agreement, Trump re-imposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran as well as promised secondary sanctions against those who chose to do business with them. Trump’s decision has been condemned by most countries around the world. The remaining parties in the deal -- France, Germany, UK and Iran have said they will try to make the remaining deal work but it remains to be seen as the countries are sitting down for talks after the U.S.’s announcement.

1. United Nations:

Following a decision on Tuesday by the United States to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, the United Nations Secretary-General said he was “deeply concerned” by the move, and called on all parties to preserve the deal.

In a statement released shortly afterwards, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “I am deeply concerned by today’s announcement that the United States will be withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and will begin reinstating US sanctions.”

“I have consistently reiterated that the JCPOA represents a major achievement in nuclear non-proliferation and diplomacy and has contributed to regional and international peace and security,” he added.

2. European Union:

The European Union's top diplomat says Europe is “determined to preserve” the Iran deal following President Trump’s decision to withdraw from it. The EU’s Foreign Minister, Federica Mogherini, said she expects the “rest of the international community to continue implementing the Iran nuclear deal.”

“The Iran nuclear deal is working and delivering, to ensure Tehran doesn’t develop nuclear weapons,” Mogherini said in Rome.

3. France:

French President Emmanuel Macron tried his best to get the U.S. to stay in the deal and was reportedly talking with Donald Trump until moments before his announcement. And he was the first to react as Trump finished signing his pronouncement into law. Macron put out his view in a tweet.

“France, Germany, and the UK regret the U.S. decision to leave the JCPOA. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is at stake.”

In another tweet, he added: “We will work collectively on a broader framework, covering nuclear activity, the post-2025 period, ballistic activity, and stability in the Middle-East, notably Syria, Yemen, and Iraq.”

4. UK

British Prime Minister Theresa May said she “regrets” the US withdrawal from the Iran deal in a joint statement with the UK, Germany and France.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister held a joint telephone call with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this evening, where they discussed the U.S. President’s announcement and agreed their continuing commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

5. Germany

Germany has traditionally enjoyed close relations with Tehran. On the margins of a meeting with his French colleague on Monday, current German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas promised that Europeans would continue to honour their agreement regardless of whether U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the deal.

6. Russia

Russia's foreign ministry said Moscow was deeply disappointed by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to abandon the Iran nuclear deal, a move it called a blatant violation of international law.

In a statement issued yesterday, the ministry said it was "deeply disappointed by the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to unilaterally refuse to carry out commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," adding that Washington's actions were "trampling on the norms of international law."

7. Barack Obama:

Barack Obama, who was president when the Iran deal was negotiated in 2015, released a lengthy statement, calling Trump's decision to withdraw from the deal "misguided." "We have been safer in the years since we achieved the JCPOA," referring to the deal's official title, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Here's part of his statement:

I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake. Without the JCPOA, the United States could eventually be left with a losing choice between a nuclear-armed Iran or another war in the Middle East. We all know the dangers of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. It could embolden an already dangerous regime; threaten our friends with destruction; pose unacceptable dangers to America’s own security; and trigger an arms race in the world’s most dangerous region. If the constraints on Iran’s nuclear program under the JCPOA are lost, we could be hastening the day when we are faced with the choice between living with that threat, or going to war to prevent it.

Who Supports Trump

Two countries who directly benefit from Iran being sanctioned by the U.S. are – Israel and Saudi Arabia as it impacts Iran’s ability to allocate resources to act against them. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who has long been critical of the deal as it lifted sanctions against Tehran, says he "fully supports" the "bold" withdrawal.

Saudi Arabia, regional rival of Iran and longtime US ally, said it “supports and welcomes” U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on Tuesday to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

“The kingdom supports and welcomes the steps announced by the US president towards withdrawing from the nuclear deal… and reinstating economic sanctions against Iran,” the foreign ministry said late Tuesday, joining Israel as one of the few countries to back Trump’s move.

Riyadh’s allies in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, also issued statements via their foreign ministries in support of Trump’s decision.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 09, 2018 06:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).