US steps threatening to JCPOA longevity: Analyst

US President Barack Obama is likely to sign a legislation, which renews sanctions against Iran for 10 years, into law, the White House says. The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) was first introduced in 1996 to punish investments in Iran over its nuclear program. Iran says the renewal of sanctions violates the landmark nuclear agreement between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The ISA has become a source of renewed tension between Iran and the United States.

An author and political scientist believes the ISA bill is in and of itself a violation of Iran’s nuclear agreement, adding that the United States is taking steps that are very threatening to the longevity of the JCPOA.

“President Obama himself who just a few months ago was advising and trying to convince the members of Congress not to renew this act has now flip-flopped and is about to sign it into law and as a constitutional lawyer he ought to know that this violates the terms of the US’s commitment under Iran’s nuclear agreement,” Kaveh Afrasiabi told Press TV in an interview on Saturday.

He also stated the renewal of ISA clearly has the potential to morph into something much more threatening. However, he said, on paper it does not really change the status quo because of the existing waivers.

The analyst went on to say the ISA violates the UN resolution 2231 that calls for the formal termination of all UN sanctions.

He also noted it is “a height of hypocrisy” that the same members of Congress who are on record opposing the JCPOA have now sponsored the ISA bill under the lame justification that it is meant to protect the nuclear agreement.

Afrasiabi further opined that there are lot of advantages to “maintaining” and “safeguarding” the merits of the JCPOA for the international community which would be wiped away if such “detrimental actions” on the part of the US continue.

He also mentioned the international community has reacted negatively to the US government’s anti-Iran legislation.

Afrasiabi further expressed hope the existing waivers on the Iran Sanctions Act will continue and the Trump administration will abide by the terms of the JCPOA.

According to the analyst, Iranian lawmakers should not “overreact” but a “measured proportionate reaction” is definitely called for.

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