Warns of grave harm to U.S. credibility with decertification; Trump move undermines efforts to deal with other U.S. national security threats like North Korea
 

Boston (October 13, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement that it will not certify Iran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran deal.
 
“President Trump’s refusal to certify Iran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action only serves to undermine America’s credibility and isolate us from the rest of the global community,” said Senator Markey. “Damaging our credibility and relationships with some of our oldest and most important allies and the rest of the international community jeopardizes America’s national security interests. Every other party to this agreement believes it is working and has warned the United States not to walk away from the commitments it made, not just to Iran but to all of them. That’s why both Defense Secretary James Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford have stated publicly that it is undeniably in America’s national security interest to remain in an agreement that the International Atomic Energy Agency continues to verify is achieving that objective.
 
“The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold certification also makes it harder for the United States to continue to build and strengthen the multilateral efforts needed to tackle other, pressing global security challenges, especially with a nuclear North Korea. American leadership is essential to addressing the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, but undermining the Iran deal will only raise doubts around the world if the United States will remain true to its word.”
 

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