Iran warns of strong action over US ‘wrong move’

DUBAI: Iran would react strongly to any “wrong move” by the US on Tehran’s nuclear deal, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said after President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the “spirit” of the agreement.

“The Iranian nation is standing firm and any wrong move by the domineering regime regarding the (nuclear accord) will face the reaction of the Islamic Republic,” state television quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying yesterday.

Washington extended some sanctions relief for Iran on Thursday under Tehran’s 2015 deal with world powers but said it had yet to decide whether to maintain the agreement.

Trump, who must make a decision by mid-October, said Iran was violating “the spirit” of the deal under which it got sanctions relief in return for curbing its nuclear programme.

“Today, despite all the commitments and discussions in the negotiations, America’s attitude towards these negotiations and their outcome is completely unjust and amounts to bullying,” Khamenei said.

“The Americans should know that the Iranian people will stand firm on their honourable positions and on important issues related to national interests there will be no retreat by the Islamic Republic,” Khamenei said.

Iran said last month it could abandon the nuclear agreement “within hours” if the US imposes any new penalties, after Washington ordered sanctions over Tehran’s ballistic missile tests. Reuters