GPI Global Policy Institute

The Global Policy Institute on June 14, 2018 held an event on policy options confronting the US government after America withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. The panelists included: Ambassador Ronald Neumann, President, American Academy of Diplomacy, Barbara Slavin, Director, Future of Iran Project, Atlantic Council, Mark Kimmitt, Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, Brigadier General (U.S. Army Ret.), Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President, American Foreign Policy Council. Dr. Mark Meirowitz, GPI Fellow; Assistant Professor, SUNY Maritime College was the Moderator. Paolo von Schirach, President, Global Policy Institute, welcomed the panelists and the audience.

Some of the key questions addressed by the high level experts included: What happens now that President Trump announced on May 8, 2018 that the US would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and that the US intends to reinstate sanctions that were lifted as part of the original deal, and may even consider adding new penalties? Under the deal, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities and allow inspections of its facilities in exchange for the termination of economic sanctions. President Trump called the deal a “horrible, one-sided deal that should never, ever been made”, highlighting the deal’s sunset provisions, the lack of effective inspection protocols and the Iranian regime’s continued development of ballistic missiles. Furthermore, the head of Iran’s atomic agency announced recently that Iran was increasing its uranium enrichment capacity in case the deal collapses. European powers are now desperately trying to save the deal.

The panelists debated what should US policy towards Iran be, going forward; what Congress could or should do; and what are the challenges and prospects resulting from President Trump’s actions regarding the exit from the deal and the imposition of sanctions on Iran. While the panelists agreed that Europe most likely will follow America’s lead, they expressed uncertainty about the attitude of China, Russia, India and others regarding sanctions. The lively discussion included broader issues of US perceptions of Iran’s foreign policy goals and of its military activities in the Region.