WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE JCPOA

Q:A:Shouldn’t we just go back to more sanctions?The rest of the world will go along with us.That is a fantasy scenario with no basis in reality.Our sanctions against Iran were effective because theyenjoyed broad, coordinated international cooperation. Iran’smajor trading partners and oil customers adhered to oursanctions – at significant cost to themselves – because weoffered a genuine diplomatic path forward. It is unrealisticto think that additional sanctions pressure would force Iranto capitulate – and impractical to believe that we could getour international partners to impose such pressure afterturning down a deal that they (including the UK, France, andGermany) believe is a good one. Our allies have been clearabout this. Consider the UK Ambassador to the U.S. PeterWestmacott’s comment for example: “If we were to walkaway or if the Congress was to make it impossible for theagreement to be implemented…then I think the internationalcommunity would be pretty reluctant, frankly, to contemplatea ratcheting up further of sanctions against Iran.” To walkaway would isolate the United States and damage ourstanding in the world, setting America on an uncertain pathwithout the support of the international community.Q:A:Why didn’t this deal ensure the release of American citizens held in Iran?The negotiations have been about one issue and one only: addressing Iran’snuclear program. We would never want to tie the fate of these Americancitizens to a political negotiation that we knew may or may not have succeeded.We will continue to call for the release of Saeed Abedini, Amir Hekmati, and Jason Rezaian, and forIran’s help in locating Robert Levinson. We will not cease until we bring them home.Q:A:Is the U.S. delisting Qassam Soleimani and the IRGC under the JCPOA?No. Qassem Soleimani and other IRGC officials and entities are not beingdelisted by the United States; They will remain designated because of theirsupport for terrorism and other destabilizing activities.And all U.S. sanctions pertaining to them will absolutelyremain in effect and will be vigorously enforced. The UnitedStates will maintain sanctions on the IRGC, the Qods Force,its leadership, and its entire network of front companies – andthe JCPOA has no effect on those sanctions whatsoever.Further, these sanctions are much more powerful becausethey also target third party entities, meaning that foreignbanks that conduct business for or on behalf of the QodsForce or Soleimani will risk being cut off from the U.S.financial system. In addition to U.S. sanctions, the E.U. willcontinue to list Soleimani and the IRGC-QF under other, nonnuclearsanctions authorities.