Iran shipped excess heavy water to comply with nuclear deal — United Nations watchdog

The deal reached in Vienna in July 2015 represents an important part of President Obama’s legacy in foreign policy. Its fate could affect Rouhani’s chances of re-election in May. Rouhani said in a speech at University of Tehran broadcast live on state television. He said if President Obama approves the extension “it will be a flagrant violation of the JCPOA and we will react to it with the strongest possible means”. “America can not influence our path of strength and endurance”.

But analysts have warned a harder stance from Trump could provoke a terrifying reaction from Iran. It passed 99-0 after clearing the House of Representatives in November.

During his campaign for the White House, Mr Trump pledged to “dismantle” the deal which sees worldwide sanctions lifted in return for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme. The Iranian president said Tehran would retaliate against the measures if they come to force. The JCPOA removed certain of the United States’ sanctions against Iran in return for monitoring of, and substantial reductions in, Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but left the United States’ comprehensive sanctions program in place. But US sanctions remain and will expire on December 31 if Obama doesn’t sign the extension into law. “America is acting against its commitment”. “So the US can not dissolve the agreement unilaterally”, the expert said. Consequently, that development could, in turn, galvanize hardliners on Iran’s political scene, including opponents of Rouhani.

“Iran will not allow any country to take unilateral action to violate the agreement and Iran has the right to take action against that”, Zarif said at a news conference after meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He said last month that lengthening of a US sanction regime would be considered as a breach of the treaty. “Is this good or bad?”

Some members of the U.S. Congress, however, had expressed deep concerns over the deal, warning that Tehran may evade inspections and use the money from sanction relief to destabilize the region.

Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell was quoted as saying, “Given Iran’s continued pattern of aggression and the country’s persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the region, preserving these sanctions is critical”.