Trump’s decision to pull out of Iran nuclear deal concerns Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern at the decision by the United States government to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.

Ramaphosa has called other parties involved in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action involving the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue to honour their commitments under the agreement following the United State’s withdrawal.

The Presidency in a statement said the United States government’s decision should not prevent the remaining parties from honouring their commitments, or affect the structures and mechanisms created negatively.

“It is important that the progress made over many years of negotiation should not be lost. Since its adoption, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action has contributed significantly to the reduction of tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, and still has an important role to play in promoting peace, stability and the normalisation of relations,” said Ramaphosa.

The agreement according to the presidency was unanimously endorsed by the UN secretary council in resolution 2231, which established a binding framework to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme, according to the statement.

The Presidency said South Africa supported multilateral diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of conflict.

“The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is a significant achievement in this regard. It provides a framework of confidence under which the Islamic Republic of Iran can pursue the development of its nuclear capabilities for civilian purposes.”

Spokesperson for the United Nations secretary-general said the UN was deeply concerned by US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

“The secretary-general calls on all participants to abide by the agreement.”