Deccan Chronicle

Trump again blasts Iran nuclear accord

As he prepares to certify Iran’s compliance with it

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President Donald Trump again dismissed the Iran nuclear accord as “terrible” for America, as he prepares to announce a key decision on whether to certify Iran’s compliance with it.

“This is the worst deal. We got nothing,” Mr Trump told Fox News, in reference to the 2015 accord negotiated with Iran by the United States and five other world powers.

It gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program in a bid to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

“We did it out of weakness when, actually, we have great strength,” said Mr Trump.

“We will see what happens pretty soon,” he said, who must announce his decision on whether to certify Iran’s compliance by the end of the week.

Every 90 days, the president has to notify Congress as to whether he believes Iran is complying with the accord and if the lifting of sanctions is in the interest of the American people.

So far Mr Trump has certified the accord but said the next deadline on Sunday is the crucial one.

Several US officials have said Mr Trump might this time choose not certify the accord.

If he chooses not to certify, Mr Trump would be defying the opinion of some of his top advisers, European countries and the Internatio­nal Atomic Energy Agency.

A decision by Mr Trump to decertify the deal would leave it at grave risk, with the US Congress having 60 days to decide whether to reimpose specific sanctions on Tehran that were lifted because of the diplomatic pact. —

 ?? AP ?? President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau to the White House in Washington, on Thursday. —
AP President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau to the White House in Washington, on Thursday. —

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