Donald Trump hails Boris Johnson’s backing for a ‘Trump deal’ on Iran

Donald Trump today hailed Boris Johnson’s backing for a ‘Trump deal’ to replace the Iran nuclear pact – despite the UK, Germany and France saying they still hope to save the old agreement.

The US president cited the PM’s idea approvingly amid frantic efforts to find a way to cool tensions with Tehran.

The European powers stepped up pressure on Iran yesterday by formally accusing Iran of breaching the terms of the agreement.

Despite stressing they still wanted to maintain the pact, they said Iran was ‘not meeting its commitments’ and triggered the dispute resolution mechanism.

Donald Trump (right)) has hailed Boris Johnson’s (left) backing for a ‘Trump deal’ to replace the Iran nuclear pact

US president cited the PM’s words approvingly amid frantic efforts to find a way to cool tensions with Tehran

In an interview, Mr Johnson said a new ‘Trump deal’ could be a way out of the current crisis.

Under Mr Trump, the US pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which eased sanctions in return for Iran agreeing to restrictions on its activity in an effort to ensure Tehran did not acquire a nuclear weapon.

Mr Johnson told BBC Breakfast: ‘If we are going to get rid of it then we need a replacement.

‘The problem with the JCPOA – this is the crucial thing, it’s why there is this tension – the problem with the agreement is that from the American perspective it’s a flawed agreement, it expires, plus it was negotiated by President Obama.

‘From their point of view it has many, many faults.

‘If we are going to get rid of it, let’s replace it and let’s replace it with the Trump deal. That’s what we need to see.

‘I think that would be a great way forward.

‘President Trump is a great deal-maker – by his own account and many others.

‘Let’s work together to replace the JCPOA and get the Trump deal instead.’

Mr Trump replied on Twitter this morning:  ‘Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, @BorisJohnson, stated, ‘We should replace the Iran deal with the Trump deal.’ I agree!’ 

However, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed the idea as ‘strange” and accused Mr Trump of breaking promises.

In a televised speech, Mr Rouhani insisted Washington should return to the 2015 pact.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (pictured yesterday) dismissed the idea of a ‘Trump deal’ as ‘strange” and accused Mr Trump of breaking promises

In a joint statement yesterday, the foreign ministers of the UK, France and Germany – known as the E3 – issued a joint statement confirming they were beginning the dispute resolution process.

However, they insisted they were not joining Mr Trump’s policy of ‘maximum pressure’ on Tehran.

The statement from the E3 said they had ‘no choice’ but to act, given Iran’s actions which include ignoring restrictions on enrichment of uranium.

The E3 said: ‘We do this in good faith with the overarching objective of preserving the JCPOA and in the sincere hope of finding a way forward to resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue, while preserving the agreement and remaining within its framework.

‘In doing so, our three countries are not joining a campaign to implement maximum pressure against Iran.

‘Our hope is to bring Iran back into full compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA.’