Mike Whitney – The Unz Review April 20, 2025

The treaty that the United States and Iran signed in July 2015, was the most exhaustive and stringent nuclear agreement in history. No other nuclear treaty comes close. The so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) imposed the most rigorous and extensive verification measures and restrictions of any treaty ever. In terms of scope, enforcement and duration, it was the toughest of all-time, hands-down.

The strict controls on Iran’s nuclear program, ensured that Iran would not be able to divert nuclear material to a weapons program. In short, the deal made it impossible for Iran to build a nuclear weapon which was the stated goal of the agreement and the primary reason for US involvement. But on May 8, 2018, President Trump withdrew from the treaty without consulting Congress or US allies, putting the US in material breach of its obligations under the terms of the agreement. Additionally, he reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran despite the fact that Iran had already shipped 25,000 pounds of enriched uranium out of the country, dismantled and removed two-thirds of its centrifuges, removed the calandria from its heavy water reactor (and filled it with concrete), and provided unprecedented access to its nuclear facilities and supply chain. In every way, shape and form, Iran had complied with the ‘letter of the law’ and fulfilled its obligations under the terms of this odious agreement, and yet Trump saw fit to consign it to the dustbin with a wave of the hand. This is the story that the western media will never tell its readers.

The treaty featured stricter requirements on Uranium Enrichment Limits, sharp reductions in the stockpile of low-enriched uranium, sharp reduction in the number of centrifuges that were allowed, new and onerous restrictions on underground facilities and research sites, complete termination of plutonium production, and a total ban on the building of heavy-water reactors.

Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was given access to Iran’s entire nuclear supply chain, including uranium mines, centrifuge production, and undeclared sites.

Iran also willingly submitted to continuous monitoring that allowed 24/7 inspections of declared facilities; “challenge inspections” that allowed the IAEA access to suspicious sites; and humiliating Additional Protocols, that imposed special transparency measures that were never imposed on any other country in any other treaty.

In every way, the JCPOA was the ‘gold standard’ of nuclear treaties, which means that—under its provisions—one could be 100% certain that Iran would never build a nuclear weapon.

Let me repeat that: Under the terms of the JCPOA the world could be 100% certain that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon.

So, what part of this agreement sounds like “The worst deal in history”??

Trump has never been asked that question, nor would he be able to answer it. If he was honest, however, he would admit that he withdrew from the treaty not due to anything Iran had done (Iran remained in strict compliance throughout.) but because Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu saw the treaty as an obstacle to his regime change plans for Tehran. As many people have come to realize, Israel aspires to become the regional hegemon which means that the economic strangulation of Iran must persist until which time Bibi can goad Trump into launching decapitation strikes on Tehran. That is the ultimate strategic objective, to obliterate Iran just as Israel-US have obliterated of Libya, Iran, Syria and now, Lebanon. Iran looms as the last great obstacle to Israel’s ambitious plan to rule the Middle East.

It’s worth noting that the JCPOA was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, making it part of international law. While not a binding treaty, Trump’s unilateral withdrawal and reimposition of sanctions clearly violated the resolution’s call for all states to support the deal. A number of scholars have argued that Trump’s action undermined the principle of pacta sunt servanda. (agreements must be kept)

By the way, all of the other signatories—UK, France, Russia, China, Germany and the EU—held up their end of the bargain and honored the agreement. But not the United States, because the United States does not keep its word when it chooses not to do so. Rules, restrictions, treaties and laws do not apply to the United States.

The point we are making is that Iran acted honorably and fulfilled its obligations while the United States impulsively shrugged off its commitments and behaved like a petulant child. And that is why the Iranian negotiators refuse to even sit in the same room with the US negotiators. We should point out, however, that even on this seemingly trivial matter, Trump finds it impossible to tell the truth. He continues to insist that the two teams of negotiators are conducting direct “talks” when he knows for a fact that they are in separate rooms shuttling hand-written messages back and forth. This pattern of compulsive deception, even on the most insignificant of issues, is not normal. It’s a type of psychological disorder. Here’s an excerpt from an article at Press TV (which is an Iranian publication that is a thousand times more reliable than CNN):

Trump famously referred to the 2015 nuclear agreement as “the worst deal in history” and promised to strike a “better deal” that would also address other issues such as the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile program and regional activities, issues that Iran had called its redlines.

In pulling out of the deal, the US president initiated what he called a “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at compelling Iran to renegotiate a new deal. All the other parties to the deal – Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany – expressed regret over the US decision and pledged to uphold the agreement. Analysis: As indirect nuclear talks resume in Rome, why is Iran distrustful of US, Press TV

So, there you have it: Trump pulled out of the most far-reaching and stringent nuclear treaty in history—not because Iran broke the rules—but because he was acting as an agent for Israel. He wanted to use the sanctions as a means of coercing Iran into abandoning its friends (Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis) and giving up the weapons (ballistic missiles) it needs to defend itself against the impending US-Israel military attack. Naturally, from Israel’s point of view, this makes perfect sense, while from Iran’s perspective it is tantamount to national suicide. Iran would have to be ‘barking mad’ to dismantle its strategic missile program at the precise time that Israel has lost all grip on reality and is rampaging across the region like Attila the Hun. Here’s more:

Whatever (Trump’s) true motives… one fact remains indisputable: the US abandoned the JCPOA despite the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) repeatedly confirming Iran’s full compliance with its nuclear obligations.

The UN nuclear agency, responsible for monitoring nuclear programs, had issued 15 reports verifying that Iran was adhering to the terms of the agreement, including limitations on uranium enrichment and reductions in its nuclear stockpile.

It had confirmed that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and heavy water reserves remained within the specified limits, noting that Iran had not exceeded the agreed-upon limits on key nuclear activities and had provided inspectors with access to all necessary sites. Analysis: As indirect nuclear talks resume in Rome, why is Iran distrustful of US, Press TV