Washington: In withdrawing the US from the Iran nuclear deal, President Donald Trump outlined a rationale that contradicted the analyses of US and foreign intelligence sources.
Trump: “The agreement was so poorly negotiated that even if Iran fully complies, the regime can still be on the verge of a nuclear breakout in just a short period of time” and, “In just a short period of time, the world’s leading state-sponsor of terror will be on the cusp of acquiring the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
The facts: Experts believe if Iran were to leave now, it would need at least a year to build a bomb. Iran was thought to be only months away from a bomb when the deal came into effect. But during the 15-year life of most provisions of the accord, Iran’s capabilities are limited to a level where it cannot produce a bomb. Already the deal has set its nuclear program back.\
Trump: His comments suggest Iran is cheating on the deal.
The facts: In the time since the nuclear deal was made in 2015, the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly confirmed Iran was complying with the terms. That finding is also shared in the main by US and Israeli intelligence officials, though the Trump administration argues Iran exceeded limits on heavy water production.
This article by ‘AP Fact Check’ can be found in The Sydney Morning Herald.