Why Exiting the Deal Turns Our Back on the Iranian People

Trump did it — he made a big show out of his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the multilateral Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran Deal. In his speech, he also announced the snapback of U.S. sanctions on Iran. By tearing up the deal, he left America in a precarious position with respect to our European allies, China and Russia. But he also left hundreds of thousands of Iranian Americans, including me, uncertain about what the future holds for family members spread across both countries.

The reality is while Trump’s decision was shocking all saw it coming based on his rhetoric and actions the last three years. My heart ached when Trump, just days after being sworn in, enacted a Muslim Ban which thwarted my family’s travel plans and even resulted in a friend being denied entry into the U.S. despite being a student with an approved visa. My heart aches again this week thinking about the ramifications from Trump’s calamitous decision to yank us from the Iran deal and reinstate sanctions that chiefly hurt the Iranian people. What’s even more wounding, is hearing Trump say that he stands in solidarity with the Iranian people when his actions, first with the Muslim Ban and now with the reneging of the Iran Deal have only served to marginalize and hurt us.

As an Iranian-American, I’m deeply disappointed by his decision to tear up one of the hallmark foreign policy accomplishments in recent history and one made with world leaders. A deal that satisfied both U.S. and Iran…