US expected to recertify Iran compliance with nuclear deal
The secretaries of state and defense appear to have overruled Iran hawks in the White House and Congress.
WASHINGTON — The Donald Trump administration is expected to again certify Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal, possibly as early as Monday, even as it continues to review broader US policy to the Islamic Republic.
“The Trump administration is currently conducting a comprehensive review of our Iran policy,” a State Department official told Al-Monitor today. “Once we have finalized our conclusions, we will meet the challenges Iran poses with clarity and conviction. The Trump administration has made clear that at least until this review is completed, we will adhere to the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] and will ensure that Iran is held strictly accountable to its requirements.”
The State Department last certified Iran’s compliance with the deal April 18. A new certification, which keeps Congress from initiating its own review of whether to reimpose nuclear-related sanctions, has to be made every 90 days.
The Weekly Standard reported Thursday that the second certification under Trump was forthcoming, and that the White House had started calling congressional offices to alert them to the decision. The conservative magazine said the Trump administration expects to finalize its Iran policy review by the end of the summer. It also said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis have argued for certifying Iran’s compliance, while White House strategy chief Steve Bannon has argued for exiting the deal.
