Iran calls on Europe to save nuclear deal

World
Europe

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said he expects US President Donald Trump will not uphold a historic nuclear deal agreement next month and called on Europeans to step in to protect the deal, Press TV reported on Saturday.

Zarif warned that Tehran would only abide by the provisions under the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), if the other parties remain committed to the deal.

If the agreement collapses, Iran will come up with more advanced nuclear technology than the pre-agreement era, he was quoted as saying.

Then US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Vienna, Jan. 16, 2016. /Reuters Photo

"If we decide to walk away from the deal, we would be walking away with better technology," he said, adding that "it will always be peaceful."

The JCPOA faces the risk of collapse amid a fallout between Washington and Tehran.

In his speech to the recent UN General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump described the JCPOA as "an embarrassment."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that his country will not be the first to violate the agreement, but will respond "decisively and resolutely" to its violation by any party.

10175km

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency