Iran warns ready to react if US pulls out of nuclear agreement

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday claimed his country’s atomic agency was prepared to react if United States President Donald Trump followed through with his promise to leave the nuclear agreement.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday claimed his country’s atomic agency was prepared to react if United States President Donald Trump followed through with his promise to leave the nuclear agreement.

“Our atomic energy organization is fully prepared…for actions that they expect and actions they do not expect,” Rouhani said, without providing further details.

Earlier in the week, the Iranian President claimed his country would not wait for agreements and continue to produce any weapons needed to protect itself.

Rouhani made the remarks on Wednesday at a military parade in Tehran to mark the annual Army Day. “We tell the world that we will produce any weapons that we need, or if necessary we will procure them,” he said.

“We have not been waiting…and will not wait for your remarks or agreement,” Rouhani added, seemingly referring to the nuclear agreement with the United States and five other nations.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed between Iran, the US, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, and France in 2015.

Iran signed the deal promising to halt its nuclear program in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

US President Trump has often criticized the 2015 deal and has threatened to scrap the current agreement unless new, more stringent restrictions were imposed on Iran by May 12.

Tehran, meanwhile, argues its ballistic missile program is crucial to its defense capabilities. “We announce to our neighboring countries in the region…we do not intend any aggression against you,” Rouhani said during the military parade.