ALLIES DEFY DON, BACK IRAN DEAL

Will build, test missiles, says Iran Prez

Washington, Oct. 14: A day after US President Donald Trump renounced the Iran nuclear deal, Britain, Germany and France have declared their support for the pact.

On Friday, Mr Trump angrily accused Iran of violating the spirit of the 2015 accord and threatened to terminate the deal unless Congress addressed its “many serious flaws”.

In a televised speech shortly after Mr Trump’s announcement, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his country would remain in the deal, but criticised Mr Trump’s words, referring to them as “curses.” Mr Rouhani also said Iran would continue to build and test ballistic missiles, something allowed under the nuclear deal though Americans believe it violates the accord’s spirit. “We have always been determined and today we are more determined,” Mr Rouhani said. “We will double our efforts from now.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said they were committed to the agreement “and its full implementation by all sides.”

In their declaration, the three leaders reiterated that Iran had not breached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action which had been unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council, according to CNN.

Israel and Saudi Arabia, however, came out in support of Mr Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US President who “boldly confronted Iran's terrorist regime”. —