An array of options is available to Iran in response to an anticipated US pullout from the 2015 nuclear deal, said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran would act based on its national interest. It has at its disposal a wide range of intra- and extra-JCPOA options. The response from Iran and the comity of nations would be unpleasant to the Americans," he was quoted as saying by ISNA.
JCPOA stands for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the formal title of the landmark nuclear accord.
Zarif was speaking to reporters after arriving in New York on Friday to attend a United Nations General Assembly meeting for sustaining peace.
The nuclear deal led to easing of economic sanctions for time-bound curbs on Tehran's nuclear development.
While the action plan is widely supported internationally and the UN watchdog has repeatedly verified Tehran's full adherence to its commitments under the deal, US President Donald Trump has rejected it as "disastrous".
On Jan. 12 Trump sent an ultimatum for Britain, France and Germany, all parties to the deal, saying they must agree to fix what he sees as its "terrible flaws", or he would refuse to extend the critical US sanctions relief that it entails.
US law requires the sanction waivers to be renewed every four months and the next deadline is May 12.
Trump's refusal to do so would effectively pull the US out of the deal, which is seen as tantamount to the death of the accord.
Zarif cautioned about the devastating consequences of Trump's bellicose approach to the broader Middle East.
"The erroneous US policies could push our region toward a very dangerous situation, especially in Syria."
Wrong Assumption
In relevant remarks, Zarif's deputy for political affairs, Abbas Araqchi warned Iran does not feel bound to stick by its JCPOA commitments "under any circumstances".
"It would be a completely wrong assumption and a big mistake to think that Iran will stay in the JCPOA under any circumstances. Any attempt to tie the JCPOA to other issues… would further complicate the situation in the region," Araqchi said in a meeting with his Norwegian counterpart Wegger Christian Strommen.
Besides a revision of the deal, Trump has called for new restrictions on Tehran's ballistic missile program and regional involvement.
The European signatories have backed Iran’s stance in ruling out a renegotiation of the deal, but have engaged in talks with the Trump administration to address his non-nuclear concerns on Iran.
Strommen reaffirmed his side's backing for the deal.
"Norway is strongly in favor of preserving and implementing the JCPOA. There is no better option than the JCPOA and all efforts should be made to keep it alive," the Norwegian diplomat said.
