Submitting Resolution at UN over US JCPOA Pullout to Be ‘Fruitful’: American Author

“It would probably be more fruitful to pose such a resolution from a positive standpoint--why adhering to the agreement stabilizes relations between Iran and the other parties; that this is beneficial to each of the signatories of the agreement, and for the entire region, etc,” Marsha Freeman told the Tasnim News Agency.

Marsha Freeman was born in New York City and was educated at Queens College and Columbia University. She is the author of hundreds of articles on the US space program and has been published in Fusion Magazine, Executive Intelligence Review, 21st Century Science & Technology, Acta Astronautica, Space World, New Federalist newspaper, Science Books & Films, Space Governance Journal, The World & I, Quest, The Encyclopedia of the Midwest, and many other periodicals. In 1993 she authored the acclaimed book “How We Got to the Moon: The Story of the German Space Pioneers” and then in 2000 she authored “Challenges of Human Space Exploration.” She has been a witness before the United States Congress at hearings on science, energy, space, and transportation budgets and policies.

Following is the full text of the interview.

Tasnim: As you know, US President Donald Trump on May 8 withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, which is an international agreement and endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution. What is your take on Trump’s decision?

Freeman: President Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear agreement is unfortunate. I believe he has gotten some very bad advice on this question. Especially at a time when there are still conflicts on-going in the Middle East, it serves no purpose for the United States to interrupt the process that could eventually lead to a normalization of relations with Iran.

Tasnim: UK, France, Germany, Russia and China have expressed their support for the deal, saying they would stand by it despite the US pullout. Do you think the agreement will stand without the US? Will Europeans, Russia and China continue to honor their commitments under the deal?

Freeman:  I do think the agreement will stand without the United States, and that the other parties to the agreement will stand by it. But the Europeans are trying to mediate and find a compromise that will keep Iran honoring the agreement, and bring the United States back in. Whether or not an "amended" agreement can be reached will depend upon how much both the United States and Iran are willing to compromise. Regardless of recent propaganda claiming that Iran is not honoring the agreement, the IAEA continues to certify that the opposite is the case, so that cannot be used as an argument for withdrawing.

Tasnim: As you know, Europeans are trying hard to salvage the deal. What would happen if all their efforts fail? How do you think should Iran react to this after pouring concrete into the core of its nuclear reactor?

Freeman: The Europeans, as I understand it, are only questioning continuing to adhere to the agreement because of the position taken by the United States. In that sense, the only failure would be if they could not negotiate a compromise, that both Iran and the US would accept. I think the Europeans, Russians, and Chinese will continue to honor the agreement, regardless of what the US does.

Tasnim: Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Khamenei recently said, “The Europeans must submit a resolution against the US at the UN Security Council to protest" Washington's withdrawal from the JCPOA.” What do you think?

Freeman: It would probably be more fruitful to pose such a resolution from a positive standpoint--why adhering to the agreement stabilizes relations between Iran and the other parties; that this is beneficial to each of the signatories of the agreement, and for the entire region, etc.