The Stream

What do Iranians think of the nuclear deal? We asked them

As Trump’s rhetoric against the deal steps up, we take the temperature in Tehran.

US President Donald Trump has made no secret of his disdain for the 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and five world powers. Last week, in his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly, he called it “an embarrassment to the United States”. Afterwards, he told journalists he had come up with a plan to deal with it but failed to give further deals.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani fired back in his speech to the assembly, warning of “rogue newcomers to the world of politics” and insisting Iran would not be the first country to break the deal.

“By violating its international commitments the new US administration only destroys its own credibility,” Rouhani said.

Trump’s pronouncements also appear to have worried other signatories to the deal. Both France and Russia have said the US would be making a big mistake if it was to pull out.

And, though both sides have so far kept to the agreement, with sanctions and missiles tests, has its spirit already been violated?

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Valerie Lincy @Wiscon_Project
Executive Director, Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control
wisconsinproject.org

Sadegh Zibakalam @sadeghzibakalam
Professor of Political Science, University of Tehran

Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh @hamid3663
Editor-in-Chief, Mehr News Agency
en.mehrnews.com

Setareh Sadeqi @leelako
PhD Candidate, University of Tehran

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.