Donald Trump gives Iran nuclear deal 'last chance' to fix 'terrible flaws'; Russia says 'big mistake'
Donald Trump
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Iran yesterday rejected any modification of its nuclear deal with world powers after US President Donald Trump demanded tough new measures to keep the agreement alive. Iran "will not accept any amendments in this agreement, be it now or in the future, and it will not allow any other issues to be linked to the JCPOA," the foreign ministry said in a statement, using the 2015 deal's technical name.
Trump again waived nuclear-related sanctions on Friday — as required every few months to stay in the agreement — but demanded European partners work with the US to "fix the deal's disastrous flaws, or the US will withdraw". He said the new deal should curb Iran's missile programme and include permanent restrictions on Iran's nuclear plants, removing expiration dates due to kick in after a decade. But, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the 2015 deal could not be renegotiated.
Iran argues that US sanctions on non-nuclear areas such as human rights and missile testing have effectively barred Iran from gaining financial benefits expected from the deal. Meanwhile, Russia said US would be making a "big mistake" by pulling out of the deal, adding that Moscow would work hard to keep the landmark agreement alive.
Voices
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran foreign minister
'Trump's policy and today's announcement amount to desperate attempts to undermine a solid multilateral agreement. JCPOA is not renegotiable: rather than repeating tired rhetoric, US must bring itself into full compliance — just like Iran'
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