The U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal was the top story in Iranian newspapers on May 9, the day after President Donald Trump’s announcement. His decision produced common cause among Iran’s diverse political cartoonists through the end of the month. The Islamic Republic has a broad political spectrum—ranging from reformists to hardline principlists—that is reflected in an equally broad range of media outlets. But they uniformly depicted the U.S. decision as self-destructive and Iran as resilient.
The following is a collection of front pages and political cartoons reacting to the U.S. decision to reverse policy, exit the deal, and reimpose economic sanctions. Translations of the headlines are adapted from those published by Iran Front Page. Translations of the cartoon titles are by Eli Pollock.
Centrist Newspapers
Ebtekar
“Trump, killer of international treaties”
May 30, 2018
"Iran Sets Conditions for Remaining in JCPOA after U.S. Withdrawal"
May 9, 2018
“Politics of Threat”
May 10, 2018
Hamshahri
The paper used a headline similar to the one that described the Shah’s departure in 1979.
"JCPOA Remained, U.S. Left It"
"Europe did not support Trump's decision to exit from JCPOA and impose nuclear sanctions"
"Rouhani: From Now on, JCPOA Is a Deal between Iran and 5 Countries"
(Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali) "Shamkhani: World Not to Go Back to Pre-JCPOA Era"
May 9, 2018
Reformist Newspapers
Arman-e Emrooz
“Bye bye annoying creature!”
May 10, 2018
"Mogherini: We’ll Remain in Iran Nuclear Deal"
"Europe to Support Positive Results of JCPOA"
May 9, 2018
Shargh
"Rouhani: Our nation is more united than in the past"
"Mogherini: We remain beside Iran"
May 9, 2018
("JCPOA" is written on the grass.)
May 10, 2018
Etemaad
"Intruder Now Out of JCPOA"
"Iran President Calls JCPOA ‘International Deal’"
May 9, 2018
Ghanoon
"JCPOA Without the Intruder"
"Heavy Costs of Withdrawal for U.S."
"Europeans Stand by Iran"
May 9, 2018
Bahar
"Rouhani: We Must Stand on Our Own Feet"
May 9, 2018
Aftab-e Yazd
"Tehran’s Logical Decision"
"Iran to Remain in JCPOA If Its Conditions Are Met: Rouhani"
"Head of Government: The People Have no Anxieties for Future of Country"
May 9, 2018
Principlist Newspapers
Javan
("Iran" is written on the tree. "Sanctions" is written on the axes.)
May 18, 2018
("JCPOA" is written on the first domino.)
May 10, 2018
Kayhan
"Trump Tears Apart JCPOA"
"It’s Now Our Turn to Burn It"
May 9, 2018
Vatan-e Emrooz
"No Sequel"
"Rouhani after U.S. Withdrawal from JCPOA: We Gained Important, Historic Experience"
"Trump Officially Declares U.S. Withdrawal from JCPOA, Signs Executive Order for Return of Nuclear Sanctions Against Iran"
May 9, 2018
Afkar
"Shamkhani: JCPOA Collapse Will Not Benefit the U.S."
May 9, 2018
Eli Pollock, a research assistant at the Woodrow Wilson Center International Center for Scholars, contributed to this collection.
Click here for President Trump's remarks.
Click here for the U.S. Treasury's statements on sanctions.
Click here for Iran's response.
Click here for world reactions.
Click here for congressional remarks.
Click here for Obama-era officials' reactions.
Click here for analysis by foreign policy and non-proliferation experts.
Click here for reactions from the Middle East.