Just a day after the White House admitted that Iran is holding up its end of the nuclear deal enacted under Barack Obama, the Trump administration is trying to pick a fight with the country.
In a statement a short time ago, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke as if Iran was violating the terms of the agreement, even though his own administration now admits the deal is working.
Video:
Secretary Tillerson: “The evidence is clear, Iran’s proactive actions threaten the United States, the region, and the world.” pic.twitter.com/oJVEhT36WP
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Tillerson said:
The evidence is clear: Iran’s provocative actions threaten the United States, the region and the world. As I indicated at the beginning, the Trump administration is currently conducting a comprehensive review of our Iran policy. Once we have finalized our conclusions, we will meet the challenges Iran poses with clarity and conviction.
Tillerson’s remarks come just a day after it was reported that the administration notified Congress that Iran was doing everything they’re required to do under the agreement.
According to The Associated Press, the administration admits the agreement is working as planned and they have “extended the sanctions relief given to the Islamic republic in exchange for curbs on its atomic program.”
In other words, the deal is running smoothly.
But after years of slamming the previous administration’s agreement and promising to either renegotiate it or simply tear it up, the administration couldn’t just admit it was working without also coming forward and slamming Iran at the very same time.
It makes no sense, but it will provide the White House some political cover for supporters who liked Trump’s “tough” campaign talk.
At the end of the day, though, the Trump foreign policy – to the extent that it exists – is a complete mess.
Over the past several weeks, the unhinged commander-in-chief has authorized bombings in two countries without any follow-up plan; he’s provoked North Korea and brought the U.S. closer to a nuclear war; he’s lost track of an American aircraft carrier.
Now, Trump is trying to pick a fight with Iran even after admitting the Obama-era agreement is preventing the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
This is what happens when a temperamentally unfit man-child is in charge of crafting American foreign policy.
Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
