Iran at a nuclear crossroads

Regardless of the dangers in Donald Trump’s unilateral withdrawal of the US from Barack Obama’s deeply flawed Iran nuclear deal, the ayatollahs in Tehran have only themselves to blame for what Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop described as Washington’s “disappointing” decision. Australia had called for the deal to remain in force until an alternative agreement could be negotiated. Yesterday, Ms Bishop encouraged Iran to continue to abide by its provisions, but expressed concerns about elements of Iran’s behaviour in the Middle East.

Under the lopsided deal, Iran continued to build UN-proscribed long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Nor can the deal be separated from Tehran’s threats to reduce Israel to ashes, and its vast support for Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists, boosted by the infusion of $US100 billion in sanctions relief.

The nervousness of European leaders, who fear Mr Trump’s withdrawal will spur Tehran to a full-scale return to its nuclear weapons-building program, is understandable. But, having supported Mr Trump’s criticisms of the deal, they should make it clear that responsibility for the failure lies with Iran, not the US President.

Mr Trump has done exactly what he pledged during the 2016 election. As he said: “The US no longer makes empty promises.’’ While he has opted for the most extreme version of withdrawal available, with the full gamut of crippling sanctions due to be reimposed on Iran’s feeble economy, he has left open the possibility of a new accord if other signatories achieve a better deal.

European nations have not helped compel Tehran to see sense. Their persistent reassurances to the ayatollahs, that whatever the US does they want to maintain the nuclear deal, have been unhelpful. They must now leave Iran in no doubt about the dire consequences facing its economy. The ayatollahs must recognise that things have changed drastically for them. By showing strong leadership that was never Mr Obama’s forte, Mr Trump has called time not only on a dud deal but on the threat posed by the ayatollahs’ actions across the Middle East.