According to a leaked memo in British newspaper, ‘Daily Mail’, the President of U.S. – Donald Trump abandoned the nuclear deal with Iran, to annoy the Former President of U.S. – Barack Obama.
The memo was written by the Former Ambassador of United Kingdom (U.K.) to United States (U.S.) – Kim Darroch, who described the move as an act of diplomatic vandalism. The newspaper also reported that the memo was written after the Foreign Secretary of U.K. – Boris Johnson, appealed to U.S. to honour the deal. The first memos criticising Trump emerged a week ago, which got the U.S. President furious and compelled Kim in resigning from his role.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as Iran nuclear deal was reached in Vienna on July 14, 2015, between Iran, the P5+1 (the 5 permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, U.K., U.S. —plus Germany) and European Union (E.U.).
As per the agreement, Iran agreed to eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, cut its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 98%, and reduce by about 2/3rd the number of its gas centrifuges for 13 years. The deal was later abandoned by Trump on May 18, 2018.
On May 8, 2019 Iran too threatened to walk away from deal
Starting today, Iran does not keep its enriched uranium and produced heavy water limited. The EU/E3+2 will face Iran's further actions if they can not fulfill their obligations within the next 60 days and secure Iran's interests. Win-Win conditions will be accepted.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) May 8, 2019
According to the newspaper, Kim wrote to Boris Johnson, “The outcome illustrated the paradox of this White House: you got exceptional access, seeing everyone short of the president; but on the substance, the administration is set upon an act of diplomatic vandalism, seemingly for ideological and personality reasons – it was Obama’s deal.
“Moreover, they can’t articulate any ‘day-after’ strategy; and contacts with State Department this morning suggest no sort of plan for reaching out to partners and allies, whether in Europe or the region.”
–Kim in a Memo to Boris
A criminal investigation has already been initiated into the leak of Kim’s emails. The leak came despite a warning from the Metropolitan Police Services, also known as Scotland Yard, against any further publication on the said matter. The police warning received objections from the Editorial Team of the newspaper, questioning the freedom of press. Post this, the Met Police issued a statement which clarified that any further publication of details on the said matter would account for breach of the Official Secrets Act.
Reacting sharply, Daily Mail said that the publication of memos is in the public interest.
Speaking on the occasion, a newspaper spokesman said, “What could be more in the public interest than a better understanding of how this position was reached, which may have serious consequences for world peace?”
