Macron urges Trump to preserve Iran nuclear deal

French president Emmanuel Macron today urged the US to remain a part of Iranian nuclear deal while it joins its European partners and others in negotiating a new agreement to address long-term concerns.

"We wish from now on to work on a new deal with Iran," Macron said following his meeting with US president Donald Trump at the White House.

Trump has threatened to exit the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) next month unless major European powers are able to persuade Tehran to meet Washington's demands and revise the existing agreement. The US will reimpose sanctions penalizing countries, including EU member states, that buy Iranian crude and refined oil products if Trump follows up on his threat.

Trump's administration wants to extend restrictions on Iran's nuclear program beyond the 10-year limit set in the JCPOA, impose new limits on ballistic missiles, and implement a stronger inspections regime.

The existing agreement already meets the needs of containing Iran's nuclear program in the short-term, Macron said. A new deal should be pursued that would address Tehran's nuclear program in the long run, its ballistic missile program and its regional activities, Macron said.

Trump set a deadline of 12 May deadline for major European powers to persuade Tehran to meet Washington's demands. But Macron said a new agreement will take longer to negotiate.

"The discussions we have had today allow us to pave the way for a new agreement," Macron said. "I would like us to commit to that effect in the weeks and months to come." Any agreement will have to involve Iran's neighbors in the Mideast Gulf and Turkey, as well as Russia and China, Macron said.

Trump, for his part, reiterated his criticism of the existing agreement. "It is insane. It is ridiculous. It should never have been made." Trump would not say whether he will follow up on his threat but hinted that Macron's proposal may be acceptable.

"There is a chance, and nobody knows what I am going to do on the 12th, although you have a pretty good idea, Mr. President," Trump told Macron. "We will see whether or not it will be possible to do a new deal with solid foundations."

Macron cast the new deal with Iran as an opportunity to find a long-term solution to the Syria crisis — a nod to Tehran's support for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's government. "This is the only way to preserve sovereignty of the region and its security in the long run," or face the need for continued military presence in the Middle East, Macron said.

Trump in return reiterated his suggestion for the Mideast Gulf Arab states to step up their involvement in Syria. "Some of them are immensely wealthy. They would not last a week if not for the US. They have to step up and pay for what is happening in Syria," Trump said. "It is important for regional countries to step up to prevent Iran from profiting in Syria. They should put soldiers on the ground."

Tehran denies it is pursuing nuclear weapons. Washington will pay a high "political and moral" price if Trump makes good on his threat to exit the nuclear pact, Iranian president Hassan Rohani said today.

Rohani said he doubted Trump will follow up on the threat but that Tehran has plans to respond.

"It will not be so easy for them to restart (the nuclear program)," Trump said. "They are not going to be restarting anything. If they restart their nuclear program they will have bigger problems than they ever had before."