The United States under Donald Trump wanted to see Iran quit the nuclear deal following Washington's departure so that they could take Tehran to United Nations Security Council, but Tehran's pragmatism and measured response dashed their hopes, President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday.
Having pinned its hopes on an Iranian decision to pull out of the agreement, the US thought that that could pave the way for the referral of Iran's case to the UNSC and the reimposition of UN sanctions, he told a meeting in Tehran to mark Judiciary Week.
"The Americans made all kinds of excuses and breached their commitments to make Iran leave the deal," Rouhani said, his official website reported.
*** Illegal Move
They tried for months to also push the Europeans to pull the plug on the historic agreement, he added, noting that an overwhelming majority of countries have openly supported the agreement and consider the controversial US exit "illegal".
“Iran’s prudent response forced the Americans to leave the JCPOA while having to pay the heaviest price possible," he said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—the nuclear accord's official name.
The president called the decision to abandon the deal "the worst and most appalling mistake" made by the US that hurt its global reputation, and said the new US sanctions and pressure tactics are part of a "psychological, economic and political war".
*** Right to Enrichment
Rouhani recalled that the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which underpins the JCPOA, recognizes Iran's right to uranium enrichment, calling it a "great national achievement".
The Islamic Republic has the upper hand both legally and politically, but Washington is seeking to undermine the people's trust in the ruling establishment and paint a grim future for the nation, he added.
He urged the domestic media not to help advance the enemy's agenda through smear campaigns, particularly in regard to the economic situation in the country.
*** No Shortage
"There is no palpable shortage of goods or foreign currency or rials," the president stressed, pledging that people will have no problem in procuring their basic needs.
"Commodities including wheat, sugar, cooking oil and sugar are being produced or have been stored in sufficient quantity. There is no reason for concern," he said, adding that all basic and essential products will continue to be imported.
Rouhani's comments came a day after traders and shop owners in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their stores to protest rising prices and the plummeting value of the national currency. Hundreds of merchants also gathered in front of parliament to express their discontent over the worsening economic situation.
*** Looming Sanctions
Washington is to start reimposing economic restrictions on Tehran in the coming months after Trump quit the nuclear agreement between major world powers and Iran, in which sanctions were lifted in return for curbs on its nuclear program.
This may reduce Iran's hard currency earnings from oil exports. This and other perceptions of instability have created a desperate attempt by those with savings to buy gold and foreign currency due largely to the steep decline in the value of the national currency.
