Iran fears nuclear deal collapse after US climate withdrawal

TEHRAN, Iran (Kurdistan24) – Iran on Sunday criticized the United States for withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, fearing it would lead to the abandonment of a nuclear deal.

During a press conference in Tehran, foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said US President Donald Trump’s decision regarding the Paris climate agreement would “increasingly isolate them.”

“The withdrawal of the United States from the Paris accord indicates the government’s lack of responsibility regarding the global community,” Ghasemi said.

President Trump announced on Thursday that the US would withdraw from the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change.

Washington now joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only non-signatories to the accord.

“Non-compliance with commitments in the Paris accord is unacceptable,” IRNA quoted Ghasemi.

The foreign ministry spokesman also labeled the US “the second-largest producer of greenhouse gases” and “one of the most polluting countries.”

The Iranian official urged other nations around the world to pressure the US to improve its impact on climate change.

“The global community must compel the new US administration to implement its international commitments precisely and completely,” he said.

“It is imperative to avoid undermining global agreements such as the Paris agreement, which is a global symbol of joint cooperation,” Ghasemi added.

Iran is also concerned President Trump will follow through with his threat to pull out of a nuclear deal signed with the US and five other world powers in 2015.

The deal lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on Tehran’s atomic program.

During his recent visit to the Middle East, Trump encouraged Saudi Arabia and Israel to unite against the “common foe” of Iran.

Editing by G. H. Renaud