Pompeo: All Iran sanctions waivers covering nuclear projects are ending - Fox News

The waivers allowed other countries and companies to work with Iran to modify the existing nuclear facilities and ensure compliance with nuclear nonproliferation strategies.

“The regime’s nuclear extortion will lead to increased pressure on Iran and further isolate the regime from the international community,” Pompeo said in a statement Wednesday.

Nonproliferation experts believe that by removing the waivers, Iran will have a greater ability to enrich its nuclear program.

Kelsey Davenport, director for nonproliferation with policy at the Arms Control Association, wrote in a tweet, “Ending waivers for cooperative projects jeopardizes US nonproliferation priorities & hands Iran a justification to ratchet up certain nuclear activities limited by the #IranDeal.” ​​​​.

“The Iranian regime has continued its nuclear brinkmanship by expanding proliferation-sensitive activities,” Pompeo said.

Since President Trump pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal in May 2018, sanctions were imposed as a part of a “maximum pressure” campaign and the waivers were reviewed every 60 days.

“We will continue to closely monitor all developments in Iran’s nuclear program and can modify this waiver at any time,” Pompeo warned