Iran deal: Leaked White House document shows Donald Trump’s demands WATERED DOWN

Earlier this year said European powers must “fix the terrible flaws” of the deal or he would refuse to extend America’s sanctions relief on

He said last month in a clear ultimatum: “This is a last chance.”

But leaked papers revealed today appear to indicate the US president would be happy if America’s European allies simply promised to try to improve the deal. 

The proposal was outlined in a US State Department cable obtained by Reuters today. The news agency also interviewed a senior department official this week. 

The crux of the July 2015 agreement between Iran and six major powers – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – was Iran restricting its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy.

Mr Trump sees three defects in the deal: its failure to address Iran’s ballistic missile program, the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites and “sunset” clauses under which limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire after 10 years. 

He previously said he wants all three strengthened if the United States is to stay in the deal.

But cables release today set a far lower standard than laid out by Mr Trump in January.

One cable said: “We are asking for your commitment that we should work together to seek a supplemental or follow-on agreement that addresses Iran’s development or testing long-range missiles, ensures strong IAEA inspections, and fixes the flaws of the ‘sunset clause’.”

The State Department declined comment on the cable, saying it would not discuss internal communications. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on what Trump sought in his Jan. 12 statement or how it viewed the approach outlined in the cable.

And European officials they did not know if the view laid out in the State Department diplomatic cable – sent to U.S. diplomats in London, Paris, Berlin and Brussels to deliver to their counterparts – will prevail in Washington.

Ultimately, they said, all that counts is Trump’s judgment on whether to renew US sanctions waivers that expire on May 12.

One diplomat told Reuters: “Has the Trump administration shifted its stance? We don’t know.

“The reality is that what we are doing now is to try to get the best package possible to convince Trump,” said a second European diplomat on Friday, referring to Trump’s concerns on missiles, inspections and the sunset clauses.

“Nobody knows what Trump will do or wants.”