Rouhani says Iran ready, warns US of ‘historic remorse’

“Orders have been issued to the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and a few days ago, I spoke with senior officials of the organisation about the programs ahead,” he said without elaboration.

“Our path is quite clear. The economic sector has also received the necessary orders,” Rouhani said.

“This nation is neither afraid nor has any fear from you. This great nation will continue with its progress and development on the side of its officials and the Leadership,” he said, addressing US leaders.

Trump has called the JCPOA, which was negotiated under his predecessor Barack Obama, the “worst deal ever” and even threatened to tear it up.

He has given the European signatories until May 12 to fix what he has claimed “flaws” in the agreement or he would refuse to waive anti-Iran sanctions, which were lifted under the accord.

Iran insists there is no way it will renegotiate the multilateral nuclear pact, which was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231 in 2015.

Rouhani said, “We must know nothing will change in our lives next week.”

“Every decision that Trump takes, we have a plan and programme to counter him and resist. Our nation is a free, brave, and persistent nation, and our enemies, God willing, will be brought to shame with their plots.”

Trump says the agreement does not address Iran’s missile capabilities as well as the country’s role in the Middle East, which the US and Israel view to their detriment. The Europeans say they have offered to include those issues in a supplementary package in order to keep the JCPOA intact.

Rouhani addressed the US and Europeans, saying Iran “is loyal to its promises but it is explicitly telling the whole world, Europe, America, the West and the East that we will not talk about our country’s weapons and defense with anyone.”

“We will build and store any amount of weapons and missiles needed by the country. It is none of anybody’s business what decision the Iranian people have made for their defense. We will not talk about the precision (of missiles) and defensive power with anyone,” he said.

As regards Iran’s role in the region, Rouhani said, Iran wants to talk to the rest of the world about restoring security to the