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US must stay in Iran’s nuclear deal: DM

 

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the administration of President Donald Trump must consider remaining a party to Iran’s nuclear deal with the world powers, as the international accord serves US national interest.

Mattis’ remarks at a Tuesday Senate hearing comes in sharp contrast with Trump’s assessment that the nuclear agreement is an “embarrassment” to the US.

Asked if he believed the nuclear deal is in the US national interest, Mattis replied, “Yes, senator, I do.”

“If we can confirm that Iran is living by the agreement, if we can determine that this is in our best interest, then surely we should stay with it,” he said.

“I believe at this point in time, absent indication to the contrary, it is something that the president should consider staying with,” Mattis pointed out.

US President Donald Trump has desperately sought a pretext to scrap or weaken the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and get rid of the limits it imposes on the US ability to pursue more hostile policies against Iran.

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