Because the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is an unsigned document that doesn’t impose any real obligations on the U.S., the Trump administration will be able to jettison it without formally reneging on American commitments, argues Amir Taheri:
President Trump [will have] a number of options. He could demand that Tehran formally and officially accept Security Council Resolution 2231 [which affirmed the deal by abrogating six previous Security Council resolutions meant to curb Iran’s nuclear program, and which Iran has until recently condemned]. Articles 11 and 12 of the resolution enable any member of the Security Council to bring a case alleging non-compliance by Iran. That would trigger the so-called snap-back process under which the council would have to review the whole situation again and come up with a new decision within 30 days. If there is no accord after 30 days, the six previous resolutions would be re-activated with suspended sanctions re-imposed by all UN members. . . .
Trump’s other option is to do nothing unless the mullahs do something specific and verifiable regarding their nuclear program. And doing nothing includes not extending Obama’s suspension of sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Obama specialized in giving “gifts” to America’s enemies without even asking for anything in return.
Trump should show that the U.S. is no longer in the business of giving something for nothing. As a businessman he could practice give-and-take diplomacy; if the mullahs really freeze their nuclear program, then sanctions imposed on them with regard to that issue could and should be suspended in a just and proportionate way. . . . After eight years, America’s friends and foes may resume treating the U.S. with respect as a power that does not build its diplomacy on trompe-l’oeil motifs.
Read more on Asharq al-Awsat: http://english.aawsat.com/2016/11/article55362419/opinion-end-obama-mean-end-trickery-iran