U.S. President Donald Trump‘s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal prompted warnings from several prominent political figures.
But former prime minister Stephen Harper is quite pleased with the call to exit the multi-country Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran.
READ MORE: Donald Trump withdraws from Iran nuclear deal
Harper, along with other former world leaders, took out a full-page ad in The New York Times this week to announce their approval of Trump’s decision.
In bold letters, the ad reads: “Mr. President, you are right about Iran.”
“Iran is a danger to us, to our allies, to freedom,” the ad, which ran a day after Trump announced the U.S. would be reinstating sanctions on Iran, reads.
“We stand alongside you in ending the dangerous appeasement of Iran and making all and any action required to stop Iran going nuclear, help its people, halt its spreading of terror and achieve peace and stability in the Middle East and among all peoples and nations.”
The message then goes on to say that the world leaders also tried to warn other countries about the deal and that supporters have been proven wrong — the deal does not work.
WATCH: Donald Trump announces U.S. will exit Iran deal
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Trump withdraws U.S. from Iran nuclear deal -
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President Trump signs proclamation ending Iran nuclear deal -
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U.S. open to working with allies to find way to address ‘Iranian nuclear threat’ -
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President Trump announces U.S. will withdraw from Iranian nuclear deal -
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Trump on Iran deal: if I allowed it to stand, there would be nuclear arms race
“We stand alongside you in ending the dangerous appeasement of Iran and taking all and any action required to stop Iran going nuclear, help its people, halt its spreading of terror and achieve peace and stability in the Middle East and among all peoples and nations,” it concludes.
The ad is signed by Harper and his former foreign affairs minister, John Baird. The names of other former world leaders, including Australia’s John Howard and former prime minister of Northern Ireland David Trimble, also appear at the bottom of the page.
READ MORE: Barack Obama pens warning over Donald Trump’s ‘misguided’ exit from Iran nuclear deal
The former world leaders’ message isn’t one that Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, would agree with.
Obama penned a warning over the decision just after it was announced Tuesday, saying it was “misguided” and will only hurt America’s credibility on the world stage.
“The reality is clear,” he wrote.
“The JCPOA is working – that is a view shared by our European allies, independent experts, and the current U.S. Secretary of Defense.”
The former president praised the deal as a “model for what diplomacy can accomplish,” and said that it has prevented Iran from developing its nuclear program.
Several other world leaders have had similar reactions and have promised to continue honouring the deal.
WATCH: NDP urges Liberal government to sign Iran nuclear deal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the House of Commons Wednesday that Canada “regrets” that the U.S. is pulling out of the agreement.
In a joint statement, French, British and German officials urged all remaining parties to remain in the deal.
READ MORE: Donald Trump warns of ‘severe consequences’ if Iran resumes nuclear program
“We urge the U.S. to ensure that the structures of the JCPOA (deal) can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal,” the statement provided by Prime Minister Theresa May’s office read.
Russia’s foreign ministry also said it is “deeply disappointed” by the decision.
Other countries such as Israel and Saudi Arabia have said they support the call made by Trump.
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