Iran’s President Rouhani: ‘America is making a mistake if it leaves the nuclear accord’

In a speech carried live by state television on Sunday, the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani noted that Iran was prepared with plans to respond to any move by the US President Trump on the 2015 nuclear agreement, warning that the US would regret a decision to exit the accord.

Key Quotes:

“We have plans to resist any decision by Trump on the nuclear accord,”

“Orders have been issued to our atomic energy organisation ... and to the economic sector to confront America’s plots against our country,”           

“America is making a mistake if it leaves the nuclear accord,” Rouhani said. “If America leaves the nuclear accord, this will entail historic remorse for it.”

“We will not negotiate with anyone about our weapons and defences, and we will make and store as many weapons, facilities and missiles as we need.” 

“You (U.S.) should know that you cannot threaten this great nation because our people withstood eight year of ... defence (in the war with Iraq).”

“We want to preserve our peaceful nuclear technology for electricity, medicine, agriculture and health... and we do not seek to threaten the world or the region.”

Meanwhile, Trump says that unless European allies rectify “flaws” in Tehran’s deal with world powers by May 12 he will refuse to extend the US sanctions relief for Iran.