Lawmakers pledged an "unforgettable" response to any violation of the nuclear agreement with major powers, after the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said Tehran would "set fire" to the deal if the US reneged on it.
In a statement issued on Sunday, 237 MPs announced their "firm" support for Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's recent remarks in reference to US presidential candidates' threat to scrap the landmark deal.
"In case the opposite side breaks its promise, we will teach the violators an unforgettable lesson, and make them regret the breach," the letter said, Press TV reported without elaboration. Presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump has been quoted as saying that it would be hard to "rip up" the deal, but if elected president he would "police that contract so tough they don't have a chance."
"The Islamic Republic won't be the first to violate the nuclear deal. Staying faithful to a promise is a Qur'anic order," Ayatollah Khamenei said last week.
"But if the threat from the American presidential candidates to tear up the deal is carried out, then the Islamic Republic will set fire to the deal," he told a meeting of senior authorities.
Iran reached the nuclear deal with the US, the EU as well as Russia and China in July to scale back its nuclear activities in return for the removal of punitive economic sanctions.
Strategic Industry
In their statement on Sunday, the lawmakers said Iran's "strategic nuclear industry must be preserved and developed." They added that "It is necessary to always take care of the abilities in this industry and its skilled manpower and maintain the viability to return to the former status" in the nuclear program if need be.
"Against the criminal and hostile behavior of the global arrogant powers and international Zionism, which have targeted the Islamic Republic of Iran's existence, we have to increase our might in faith, economy, defense, science, politics and population and confront their evil plots."
Iranian officials say the US has not changed its hostile ways with Tehran despite the agreement. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said in April that Iran had its "own means to make them [Americans] regret" their actions.
His remarks came after the US Supreme Court ruled that some $2 billion in Iranian assets frozen in an American bank account should be given to the families of those killed in a series of attacks blamed on Iran. Tehran has denied any role in any attacks that targeted Americans.
