The end of US internationalism: how Trump’s ditching of the Iran nuclear deal affirms American unipolarity – with Obama’s help

The Trump White House plans to break the Iran deal and sanction companies from Europe and Asia doing business in and with Iran. Ironically, it was former president Barack Obama who paved the way for unilateral sanctions. 

For three years, the comprehensive nuclear accord (JCPOA) has offered Iran relief from US, UN and multilateral sanctions on energy, finance, shipping, autos and other sectors. That era recently came to a halt. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the ultraconservative former CIA head, said Washington will impose “the strongest sanctions in history [on Iran] once they come into full force”. 

In contrast, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has reiterated Beijing's support for the deal. By the same token, the other key signatories of the nuclear deal – the UK, France, Germany and Russia – say the deal will be sustained.