In what critics are slamming as a decision to embrace “war over peace,” President Donald Trump is reportedly gearing up to officially “decertify” the Iran nuclear deal next week on the grounds that it is “not in the national interest of the United States.”

Many in recent days have predicted that Trump would ultimately opt to decertify the deal he so often railed against on the campaign trail. While some within his administration have urged Trump to uphold U.S. commitment to the nuclear accord, the right-wing hawks calling for tougher sanctions and outlining potential “military options” appear to have won out.

“The move would mark the first step in a process that could eventually result in the resumption of U.S. sanctions against Iran, which would blow up a deal limiting Iran’s nuclear activities,” the Washington Post noted.

In a Twitter thread on Thursday, Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, explained why Trump’s move to undermine the nuclear deal is so dangerous—and why his justifications for doing so are blatantly false.

Mindful of news that Trump will decertify the #IranDeal, thought I'd share why my book is titled Losing an Enemy >>https://t.co/M0zxclkzyl — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

The deal did not create peace, but it created an OPPORTUNITY for the United States and Iran to lose each other as enemies. >> — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

The problem is: Some in Washington fear losing Iran as an enemy more than they fear Iran’s nuclear program or its regional policies >> — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

The same problem exists in Iran. But it’s the US – via Trump – that is pulling out of the deal, not Iran. >> — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

While Washington obsessed about the idea that enmity with the US was a pillar of the revolution, it was blind to its own addiction to enmity — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

In the past 37 years, there is only one example of the US succeeding in changing a core Iranian policy: The diplomacy that led to #IranDeal — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

All other paths have failed. Now Trump is choosing to kill the path that did lead to real results, in order to return to the path of failure — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

If one seeks war, Trump’s decision make sense. Failure will lead to war. If he doesn’t want war, then killing the deal makes no sense. >> — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

Saudi & Israel will applaud Trump because they want the US to re-enter the region and help “balance” Iran. They can't do it on their own. >> — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

From the Saudi & Israeli perspective, that makes sense. Have the US do the job for them. But how does it make sense from the US perspective? — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

Riyadh thinks killing the #IranDeal will make Saudi great again. But can someone explain how it will make America great again? >> — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

This is the question that no one asks in DC: What is the value TO THE US of the US reasserting hegemony in the Middle East? — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

What is the value TO THE US of going to war with Iran? There is value for the US to lose an enemy. But Trump is killing that chance… / — Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 5, 2017

Top photo | Donald Trump waves to the crowd after speaking during a rally opposing the Iran nuclear deal outside the Capitol in Washington, Sept. 9, 2015. (AP/Susan Walsh)

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