Iran will withdraw from its nuclear agreement with world powers if its interests are not protected by the other signatories in case of a US pullout, President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday, assuring the nation that there is no reason for anxiety as the country is prepared for every possible scenario.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from the agreement—formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—when it comes up for renewal on May 12, demanding European allies "fix the terrible flaws" or he will reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran.
The nuclear deal was signed in 2015 by Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. Under the pact, sanctions were eased in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program, but Tehran says it is not reaping the rewards despite fully complying with the deal.
Sanctions Relief
"What we seek to gain from the But if we realize that what we intended to achieve through the JCPOA cannot be ensured, we will continue our own path and plans JCPOA could be ensured by parties other than the United States.," Rouhani told a meeting in Mashhad, northeast Khorasan Razavi Province, his official website reported.
He said the main goal of Iran in signing the landmark agreement was the removal of "unjust" sanctions, which was partially realized in some sectors, including oil, petrochemical, machinery, healthcare and agriculture.
Strategic Mistake
A decision by the US to walk away from the accord it has signed and supported before Trump came to the White House would indeed be a "strategic mistake" it stands to regret later, the president said. "People should rest assured that we have plans to respond to any (hostile) move by the United States."
He did not elaborate on the possible measures Iran can and will take in the event of a US withdrawal, but officials in Tehran have repeatedly said it will ramp up its nuclear program if the deal collapses.
Washington is intent on undermining the nuclear pact in an effort to limit Iran's sphere of influence in the region, he president said.
"The Americans have been trying to curb and curtail Iran's power and will continue to do so regardless of whether they stay in or out of the JCPOA."
National Interest
Echoing a similar view, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran will abandon the agreement if it fails to serve the country's national interests.
"Iran's interests must be safeguarded by the JCPOA. If not, Iran will respond appropriately if the US attempts to exert economic pressure on the Islamic Republic through different means," he told ICANA in remarks published on Monday.
