Iran threatens ‘stronger’ nuclear plan

Tehran demands Baghdad hand over Kurdish dissidents

Iran’s nuclear chief said yesterday he hopes the atomic deal between Tehran and world powers survives, but warns the programme will be in a stronger position than ever if not.

The remarks by Ali Akbar Salehi, who is also a vice-president to Iran’s elected leader Hassan Rouhani, come as Iran tries to salvage an accord challenged by President Donald Trump. The US withdrawal from the deal and the return of sanctions already has badly shaken Iran’s anaemic economy, crashing its rial currency.

Further sanctions coming in November threaten Iran’s oil industry, a major source of government funds, and will further pressure the moderate Rouhani.

For his part, Salehi sought to contrast Iran’s behaviour, which includes abiding by the atomic accord, against “emotional moves and sensational moves.”

No benefit

“I think (Trump) is on the loser’s side because he is pursuing the logic of power,” Salehi said in Tehran. “He thinks that he can, you know, continue for some time but certainly I do not think he will benefit from this withdrawal, certainly not.”

Meanwhile, the head of Iran’s armed forces demanded yesterday authorities in neighbouring Iraq hand over separatist Kurdish dissidents stationed there and close their bases, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Major General Mohammad Baqeri was quoted three days after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired seven missiles at the base of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group in northern Iraq, killing at least 11 people.