NUKE DEAL: IRAN WARNS WORLD TO PREPARE FOR USA WALKOUT

TEHRAN: Iran on Monday warned the world to prepare for the possible withdrawal of the United States from the landmark nuclear deal agreed in 2015.

“The international community must be prepared for the US possibly pulling out of the JCPOA,” said deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, using the technical name for the nuclear deal.

Iran’s nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said the country might reconsider its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog if the US failed to respect its commitments in the deal, according to a media report. “If the United States does not meet its commitment in the JCPOA, the Islamic Republic of Iran would take decisions that might affect its current cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” Salehi was quoted by Irna news agency as telling IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano in a phone call.

Iran signed the accord in 2015 with six world powers, agreeing to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of many international sanctions.

US President Donald Trump openly despises the deal -- a central foreign policy achievement of his predecessor Barack Obama -but has so far continued to waive the nuclear-related sanctions at regular intervals as required to stay in compliance.

The next deadline for Trump to waive sanctions falls on Friday.

“We in Iran are prepared for any scenario,” Aragchi said.