President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled the United States out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, and said he would reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran immediately.

The decision is likely to raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America`s European allies and disrupt global oil supplies.

"This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made," Trump said at the White House. "It didn`t bring calm. It didn`t bring peace. And it never will."

The 2015 deal, worked out by the United States, five other international powers and Iran, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme.

Trump says the agreement, the signature foreign policy achievement of Trump`s predecessor Barack Obama, does not address Iran`s ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria.

Trump said he was willing to negotiate a new deal with Iran, but Tehran has already ruled that out and threatened unspecified retaliation if Washington pulled out.

Iranian state television said on Tuesday that Trump`s decision to withdraw was "illegal, illegitimate and undermines international agreements."

Renewing sanctions would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system.

The Iran deal may remain partially intact, even without the United States. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested on Monday that Iran could remain in the accord with the other signatories that stay committed to it.

Trump`s move is a snub to European allies such as France, Britain and Germany who are also part of the Iran deal and tried hard to convince the U.S. president to preserve it. The Europeans must now scramble to decide their own course of action with Tehran.

China and Russia are also signatories to the Iran deal.

Oil prices dived as much as 4 percent on Tuesday as media reports rattled markets with doubts about whether Trump would withdraw Washington.

Trump did not provide details of what he described as the “highest level of economic sanctions” that he is reimposing on Iran.&nbsp;

But he implied that he was going beyond not renewing waivers on sanctions related to Iran’s oil exports and its central bank that were due to expire on Saturday and reimpose all of the other U.S. sanctions that were suspended under the nuclear deal.

Iran`s growing military and political power in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq worries the United States, Israel and U.S. Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Israel has traded blows with Iranian forces in Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming.

Trump said the 'disastrous' deal was an embarrassment for the US

President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled the United States out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, and said he would reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran immediately. The decision is likely to raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America`s European allies and disrupt global oil supplies. "This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made," Trump said at the White House. "It didn`t bring calm. It didn`t bring peace. And it never will." The 2015 deal, worked out by the United States, five other international powers and Iran, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme. Trump says the agreement, the signature foreign policy achievement of Trump`s predecessor Barack Obama, does not address Iran`s ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Trump said he was willing to negotiate a new deal with Iran, but Tehran has already ruled that out and threatened unspecified retaliation if Washington pulled out. Iranian state television said on Tuesday that Trump`s decision to withdraw was "illegal, illegitimate and undermines international agreements." Renewing sanctions would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system. The Iran deal may remain partially intact, even without the United States. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested on Monday that Iran could remain in the accord with the other signatories that stay committed to it. Trump`s move is a snub to European allies such as France, Britain and Germany who are also part of the Iran deal and tried hard to convince the U.S. president to preserve it. The Europeans must now scramble to decide their own course of action with Tehran. China and Russia are also signatories to the Iran deal. Oil prices dived as much as 4 percent on Tuesday as media reports rattled markets with doubts about whether Trump would withdraw Washington. Trump did not provide details of what he described as the “highest level of economic sanctions” that he is reimposing on Iran. But he implied that he was going beyond not renewing waivers on sanctions related to Iran’s oil exports and its central bank that were due to expire on Saturday and reimpose all of the other U.S. sanctions that were suspended under the nuclear deal. Iran`s growing military and political power in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq worries the United States, Israel and U.S. Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia. Israel has traded blows with Iranian forces in Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming.

Trump pulls out of Iran nuclear deal, reimposes US sanctions

After the Trump bombshell (which was not unexpected), is Iran going to build the bomb? &nbsp;

The million-dollar question and the answer to it may depend on what the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/macron-rouhani-agree-to-seek-continued-implementation-of-nuclear-deal-135774">Europeans do</a>. The US is only one signatory to the Iran deal. There are five others — the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China — who still support it. &nbsp;

Top Indian diplomats say the ones to watch are the three European countries. &nbsp;The deal could survive if they stick to it, but for how long? A reading of the US State Department advisory indicates a six-month window for countries to start winding down their Iran connections. These include banking, shipping and oil-related transactions. &nbsp; &nbsp;

All other connections must be shut down in 90 days. So private firms dealing with Iran have that window to terminate their licences "in an orderly way" the advisory helpfully adds.

So what happens to Europe? The advisory mentions dialogue with US allies and partners. That's probably a polite way of saying Washington will bully, intimidate, bend and twist every European arm to ensure they get on board. &nbsp;

Will Europe bend, twist and turn? Probably yes because their stakes in the US are too strong to be sacrificed for Iran. &nbsp;

That leaves the Iranians all the time and space they need to go and build their bomb. &nbsp;There's speculation how long they could take to build one. A few months claim some, more say others.

David Albright of the Institute for Science & International Security, writing in the New York Times, say it would take Iran 8-10 months to rebuild its enrichment complexes and acquire sufficient uranium fuel to make a bomb. &nbsp;This is only a first step, he warns, because the fuel would have to be turned into a weapon.

Recent revelations by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest&nbsp;Iranian scientists have made detailed studies of warhead design. &nbsp;But that doesn't mean they know how to build one. &nbsp;Nor is it clear that they have the missiles to deliver the warheads.&nbsp;

In July 2015, when the nuclear deal was struck, Iran had less than 10,000 kg of low-enriched uranium to power nuclear reactors. &nbsp;But almost all of that had to be moved out of the country. &nbsp;The last inspection by international inspectors indicated iran had about 113 kg of uranium, not enough to make even one nuclear warhead. Nor does it have the uranium required to build a nuclear weapon.

The Iranians may prefer to make haste slowly. &nbsp;They may develop and build new centrifuge models that will then be used to enrich uranium to bomb grade. Iran has at least three uranium mines to make good any shortfall in uranium. So give them a year.&nbsp;But if they end up with something far sooner, you may have to credit some of their neighbours for that.

There were five other signatories to the Iran nuclear deal. Top Indian diplomats say what Iran does next will depend on what the European signatories — France, Germany, and the UK — do

After the Trump bombshell (which was not unexpected), is Iran going to build the bomb? The million-dollar question and the answer to it may depend on what the Europeans do. The US is only one signatory to the Iran deal. There are five others — the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China — who still support it. Top Indian diplomats say the ones to watch are the three European countries. The deal could survive if they stick to it, but for how long? A reading of the US State Department advisory indicates a six-month window for countries to start winding down their Iran connections. These include banking, shipping and oil-related transactions. All other connections must be shut down in 90 days. So private firms dealing with Iran have that window to terminate their licences "in an orderly way" the advisory helpfully adds. So what happens to Europe? The advisory mentions dialogue with US allies and partners. That's probably a polite way of saying Washington will bully, intimidate, bend and twist every European arm to ensure they get on board. Will Europe bend, twist and turn? Probably yes because their stakes in the US are too strong to be sacrificed for Iran. That leaves the Iranians all the time and space they need to go and build their bomb. There's speculation how long they could take to build one. A few months claim some, more say others. David Albright of the Institute for Science & International Security, writing in the New York Times, say it would take Iran 8-10 months to rebuild its enrichment complexes and acquire sufficient uranium fuel to make a bomb. This is only a first step, he warns, because the fuel would have to be turned into a weapon. Recent revelations by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest Iranian scientists have made detailed studies of warhead design. But that doesn't mean they know how to build one. Nor is it clear that they have the missiles to deliver the warheads. In July 2015, when the nuclear deal was struck, Iran had less than 10,000 kg of low-enriched uranium to power nuclear reactors. But almost all of that had to be moved out of the country. The last inspection by international inspectors indicated iran had about 113 kg of uranium, not enough to make even one nuclear warhead. Nor does it have the uranium required to build a nuclear weapon. The Iranians may prefer to make haste slowly. They may develop and build new centrifuge models that will then be used to enrich uranium to bomb grade. Iran has at least three uranium mines to make good any shortfall in uranium. So give them a year. But if they end up with something far sooner, you may have to credit some of their neighbours for that.

Will Iran now make the bomb? Depends on Europe

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/top-american-allies-regret-us-withdrawal-from-iranian-nuclear-deal--135598">Top American allies 'regret' US withdrawal from Iranian nuclear deal</a>

Top American allies, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Canada regretted and expressed concerns over the decision of US President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indians-abducted-in-afghanistan-4-belonged-to-jharkhand-135599">Indians abducted in Afghanistan: 4 belonged to Jharkhand</a>

The seven Indian engineers who were abducted in Afghanistan on Sunday, at least four belonged to Jharkhand, report said. The Indians belonged to Jhargram in Jharkhand's populous Giridih district. All the engineers worked for a private company named KEC.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/google-ceo-sundar-pichai-apologises-for-flawed-beer-burger-emoji-displays-new-versions--135607">Google CEO Sundar Pichai apologises for flawed beer, burger emoji, displays new versions</a>

Google's annual developer conference kicked off on Tuesday in California starting with CEO Sundar Pichai apologising for the flawed designs of the burger and beer emoji on Android.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-sonam-kapoors-reception-shah-rukh-salman-and-anil-kapoor-set-the-stage-on-fire-with-their-dance-moves-135603">Sonam Kapoor's reception: Shah Rukh, Salman set the stage on fire</a>

It was a night that tinsel town will remember for a long time. Shah Rukh and Salman Khan danced their heart out at Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's wedding reception on Tuesday night as nearly the entire film industry descended at Leela Hotel to celebrate the joyous occasion.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/reports-linking-nawaz-sharif-laundering-49-billion-to-india-incorrect-world-bank-135606">Reports linking Nawaz Sharif laundering $4.9 billion to India 'incorrect': World Bank</a>

The World Bank today described as "incorrect" media reports in Pakistan about allegations that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif laundered $4.9 billion to India. In the past day, there have been media reports citing the World Bank's Remittances and Migration Report of 2016.&nbsp

Top American allies 'regret' US withdrawal from Iranian nuclear deal Top American allies, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Canada regretted and expressed concerns over the decision of US President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal. Indians abducted in Afghanistan: 4 belonged to Jharkhand The seven Indian engineers who were abducted in Afghanistan on Sunday, at least four belonged to Jharkhand, report said. The Indians belonged to Jhargram in Jharkhand's populous Giridih district. All the engineers worked for a private company named KEC. Google CEO Sundar Pichai apologises for flawed beer, burger emoji, displays new versions Google's annual developer conference kicked off on Tuesday in California starting with CEO Sundar Pichai apologising for the flawed designs of the burger and beer emoji on Android. Sonam Kapoor's reception: Shah Rukh, Salman set the stage on fire It was a night that tinsel town will remember for a long time. Shah Rukh and Salman Khan danced their heart out at Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's wedding reception on Tuesday night as nearly the entire film industry descended at Leela Hotel to celebrate the joyous occasion. Reports linking Nawaz Sharif laundering $4.9 billion to India 'incorrect': World Bank The World Bank today described as "incorrect" media reports in Pakistan about allegations that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif laundered $4.9 billion to India. In the past day, there have been media reports citing the World Bank's Remittances and Migration Report of 2016.

News brief: Big stories of the day

President Donald Trump is expected to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear agreement on May 12. Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain, and the United States in 2015.

Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. But the withdrawal of the United States will probably sink the deal. If that happens, Iran could retaliate by undermining the interests of Washington and its allies in the Middle East.

Here are some possible scenarios:

Iraq

When Islamic State seized much of Iraq in 2014, Iran was quick to support Baghdad. Iran has since helped arm and train thousands of Shi'ite fighters in Iraq. These Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are also a significant political force.

If the deal falls through, Iran could encourage PMF factions who want the US&nbspto leave Iraq to step up rhetorical, and maybe military, attacks against American forces.

These could be rocket, mortar and roadside bomb attacks not directly linked to a specific Shi'ite militia, which would allow Iran to deny it had changed its position of avoiding direct conflict with US&nbspforces in Iraq.

Syria

Iran and paramilitary allies such as Lebanon's Hezbollah have been involved in Syria's war since 2012. Iran has armed and trained thousands of Shi'ite paramilitary fighters to shore up the government. Israel says Iran has recruited at least 80,000 Shi'ite fighters.

Iran's presence in Syria has brought Tehran into direct conflict with Israel for the first time, with a series of high-profile clashes in recent months. Israeli officials say they will never let Tehran or Hezbollah establish a permanent military presence in neighbouring Syria.

If the nuclear deal falls through, Iran will have little incentive to stop its Shi'ite militia allies in Syria from carrying out attacks against Israel.

Iran and the forces it controls in Syria could also cause trouble for about 2,000 US&nbsptroops deployed in northern and eastern Syria to support Kurdish-led fighters.

A top adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said in April he hoped Syria and its allies would drive US&nbsptroops out of eastern Syria.

Lebanon

In 2006, Hezbollah fought Israel to a standstill in a 34-day border war. According to Israeli and US&nbspofficials, Iran is now helping Hezbollah build factories to manufacture precision-guided missiles or refit longer-range missiles with precision guidance systems.

Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked Hezbollah in Syria where the group is leading many of Iran's Shi'ite militia allies. The rhetoric between Israel and Iran has ramped up in recent weeks. Though Hezbollah and Israel say they are not interested in conflict, the tensions could easily spill over into another Lebanon war.

Hezbollah said last year that any war waged by Israel against Syria and Lebanon could draw thousands of fighters from countries including Iran and Iraq, indicating that Shi'ite militias could come to Lebanon to help Hezbollah.

Hezbollah is also a major political force in Lebanon, and may strengthen its position at elections on May 6. For the moment, the group is working with its political opponents, notably Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who is backed by Western governments.

But if the nuclear deal falls through, Iran could pressure Hezbollah to isolate its opponents, a development experts believe could destabilise Lebanon.

"Hezbollah literally controls Lebanese politics," said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political studies at the American University of Beirut. "If they do that, it would be sheer harassment."

Yemen

Iran has never acknowledged direct military involvement in Yemen. But US&nbspand Saudi officials say it is supplying rebel Houthi fighters with missiles and other arms. The Houthis have fired missiles at Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities, saying they are retaliating against air raids on Yemen.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in a regional power struggle. Supporters of the Iran nuclear deal say it has prevented the conflict from descending into open warfare. If the deal falls through, Iran could increase support for the Houthis, possibly provoking a military response from Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies such as the United Arab Emirates.

"I'm not ruling out Iranian support to the Houthis," said Khashan

Treaty

Iran also has options directly related to its nuclear programme. Iranian officials have said that one option they are examining is to withdraw completely from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an agreement designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the country is not interested in developing nuclear weapons. But if Iran withdraws from the NPT, it will set off alarm bells globally.

"This would of course be a disastrous course for the Islamic Republic, as it will find itself isolated," said Ali Alfoneh, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Even if Iran does not withdraw from the NPT, it has indicated that it will probably ramp up enrichment of uranium, strictly limited under the deal to help allay fears it could be used to produce atomic bomb material. Under the current deal, Iran's enrichment levels must remain around 3.6 percent. Iran stopped producing 20 percent enriched uranium and gave up the majority of its stockpile as part of the 2015 agreement.

Uranium refined to 20 percent fissile purity is beyond the 5 percent normally required to fuel civilian nuclear power plants, although short of highly enriched, or 80 to 90 percent, purity needed for a nuclear bomb.

This week, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Iran was able to enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before the deal.

Iran's actions may be influenced by the extent to which the other signatories to the deal respond to US&nbspwithdrawal, according to analysts.

That will depend on: the extent to which France, Germany and Britain insist that their companies can continue to do business with Iran under what is an international agreement ratified unanimously by the UN Security Council the level of diplomatic support for Iran from Russia, its partner in Syria and how much China wishes to bind Iran into its Belt and Road foreign trade and investment initiative.

There will be a test of wills if the Trump administration restores sanctions and threatens violators with being shut out of the US&nbspbanking system. Of the other signatories only China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, is able to brush this off.

If the deal falls through, Iran could encourage PMF factions who want the US to leave Iraq to step up rhetorical, and maybe military, attacks against American forces

President Donald Trump is expected to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear agreement on May 12. Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain, and the United States in 2015. Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. But the withdrawal of the United States will probably sink the deal. If that happens, Iran could retaliate by undermining the interests of Washington and its allies in the Middle East. Here are some possible scenarios: Iraq When Islamic State seized much of Iraq in 2014, Iran was quick to support Baghdad. Iran has since helped arm and train thousands of Shi'ite fighters in Iraq. These Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are also a significant political force. If the deal falls through, Iran could encourage PMF factions who want the US&nbspto leave Iraq to step up rhetorical, and maybe military, attacks against American forces. These could be rocket, mortar and roadside bomb attacks not directly linked to a specific Shi'ite militia, which would allow Iran to deny it had changed its position of avoiding direct conflict with US&nbspforces in Iraq. Syria Iran and paramilitary allies such as Lebanon's Hezbollah have been involved in Syria's war since 2012. Iran has armed and trained thousands of Shi'ite paramilitary fighters to shore up the government. Israel says Iran has recruited at least 80,000 Shi'ite fighters. Iran's presence in Syria has brought Tehran into direct conflict with Israel for the first time, with a series of high-profile clashes in recent months. Israeli officials say they will never let Tehran or Hezbollah establish a permanent military presence in neighbouring Syria. If the nuclear deal falls through, Iran will have little incentive to stop its Shi'ite militia allies in Syria from carrying out attacks against Israel. Iran and the forces it controls in Syria could also cause trouble for about 2,000 US&nbsptroops deployed in northern and eastern Syria to support Kurdish-led fighters. A top adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said in April he hoped Syria and its allies would drive US&nbsptroops out of eastern Syria. Lebanon In 2006, Hezbollah fought Israel to a standstill in a 34-day border war. According to Israeli and US&nbspofficials, Iran is now helping Hezbollah build factories to manufacture precision-guided missiles or refit longer-range missiles with precision guidance systems. Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked Hezbollah in Syria where the group is leading many of Iran's Shi'ite militia allies. The rhetoric between Israel and Iran has ramped up in recent weeks. Though Hezbollah and Israel say they are not interested in conflict, the tensions could easily spill over into another Lebanon war. Hezbollah said last year that any war waged by Israel against Syria and Lebanon could draw thousands of fighters from countries including Iran and Iraq, indicating that Shi'ite militias could come to Lebanon to help Hezbollah. Hezbollah is also a major political force in Lebanon, and may strengthen its position at elections on May 6. For the moment, the group is working with its political opponents, notably Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who is backed by Western governments. But if the nuclear deal falls through, Iran could pressure Hezbollah to isolate its opponents, a development experts believe could destabilise Lebanon. "Hezbollah literally controls Lebanese politics," said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political studies at the American University of Beirut. "If they do that, it would be sheer harassment." Yemen Iran has never acknowledged direct military involvement in Yemen. But US&nbspand Saudi officials say it is supplying rebel Houthi fighters with missiles and other arms. The Houthis have fired missiles at Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities, saying they are retaliating against air raids on Yemen. Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in a regional power struggle. Supporters of the Iran nuclear deal say it has prevented the conflict from descending into open warfare. If the deal falls through, Iran could increase support for the Houthis, possibly provoking a military response from Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies such as the United Arab Emirates. "I'm not ruling out Iranian support to the Houthis," said Khashan Treaty Iran also has options directly related to its nuclear programme. Iranian officials have said that one option they are examining is to withdraw completely from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an agreement designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the country is not interested in developing nuclear weapons. But if Iran withdraws from the NPT, it will set off alarm bells globally. "This would of course be a disastrous course for the Islamic Republic, as it will find itself isolated," said Ali Alfoneh, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Even if Iran does not withdraw from the NPT, it has indicated that it will probably ramp up enrichment of uranium, strictly limited under the deal to help allay fears it could be used to produce atomic bomb material. Under the current deal, Iran's enrichment levels must remain around 3.6 percent. Iran stopped producing 20 percent enriched uranium and gave up the majority of its stockpile as part of the 2015 agreement. Uranium refined to 20 percent fissile purity is beyond the 5 percent normally required to fuel civilian nuclear power plants, although short of highly enriched, or 80 to 90 percent, purity needed for a nuclear bomb. This week, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Iran was able to enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before the deal. Iran's actions may be influenced by the extent to which the other signatories to the deal respond to US&nbspwithdrawal, according to analysts. That will depend on: the extent to which France, Germany and Britain insist that their companies can continue to do business with Iran under what is an international agreement ratified unanimously by the UN Security Council the level of diplomatic support for Iran from Russia, its partner in Syria and how much China wishes to bind Iran into its Belt and Road foreign trade and investment initiative. There will be a test of wills if the Trump administration restores sanctions and threatens violators with being shut out of the US&nbspbanking system. Of the other signatories only China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, is able to brush this off.

What could Iran do if Trump pulls out of nuclear deal?

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said he would announce a decision on the future of the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday at 2.pm (United States time) as European countries piled pressure on Washington to remain in the 2015 agreement.

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Trump has threatened to withdraw from the deal, which provided Iran with relief from economic sanctions in exchange for limiting its uranium enrichment capacity unless European signatories to the accord fix what he has called its shortcomings.

Trump has until May 12 to decide whether to reintroduce US&nbsp;sanctions on Iran, which would deal a heavy blow to the agreement.

While all eyes are set at the US President's landmark announcement on one of the biggest nuclear agreements of all times, here's a quick look at some of his statements on the nuclear accord.

1. "Never ever ever in my life have I seen any transaction so incompetently negotiated as our deal with Iran -- and I mean never," Donald Trump as&nbsp;Republican presidential candidate on September 9, 2015, Washington DC.

2. "Because they're not stupid people (the Iranians), they're very smart people and they're great negotiators, and in two days they get a check for one hundred fifty billion dollars. OK? They don't want to take a --- see, the difference is if they did that with me, I'd say you're not getting your money back, you're in default for what you did, no -- you're in default,"&nbsp;Donald Trump as&nbsp;Republican presidential candidate in Iowa, January 15, 2016.

3. "They are not living up to the spirit of the agreement, I can tell you that, and we are analyzing it very, very carefully and we'll have something to say about it in the not-too-distant future. But Iran has not lived up to the spirit of the agreement," Donald Trump as US President on April 20, 2017, Washington DC.&nbsp;

4. "But it was a terrible, a terrible thing for the United States to enter that deal and believe me Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, that I can tell you," Donald Trump on May 22, 2017, Jerusalem.&nbsp;

5. "If that deal doesn't conform to what it's supposed to conform to, there's going to be big big problems for them, that I can tell you. You're going to see that," Trump in Ohio, US on July 25, 2017.

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<h5>"Never ever ever in my life have I seen any transaction so incompetently negotiated as our deal with Iran -- and I mean never," Donald Trump as&nbsp;Republican presidential candidate on September 9, 2015</h5>
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6. "The Iran deal was one of the worst and one-side transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States, and I don't think you've heard the last of it. Believe me," Donald Trump at the United Nations, September&nbsp;19, 2017.

7. "Today, I am announcing our strategy along with several major steps we are taking to confront the training regimes hostile actions and to ensure that Iran never and I mean never acquires a nuclear weapon,"&nbsp;US President in Washington DC, October 13, 2017

8. "In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated," US President in Washington DC, October 13, 2017.

9. "But, the Iran deal was something that I felt had to be done. And we'll see what phase two is. Phase two might be positive it might be very negative. Might be a total termination: that's a very real possibility. Some would say that's a greater possibility. But, it also could turn out to be very positive. We'll see what happens. I thought the tone of the Iranian leaders was very modified. And, I was happy to see that but I don't know if that means anything," Trump in Washington DC, October 16, 2017.

10. "But there is a chance and nobody knows what I'm going to do on the 12th -- although Mr. President, you have a pretty good idea -- but we'll see, but we'll see, also, if I do what some people expect. Whether or not it will be possible to do a new deal with solid foundations because this is a deal with decayed foundations. It's a bad deal. It's a bad structure. It's falling down, should have never ever been made. I blame Congress. I blame a lot of people for it. But it should have never been made. And we're going to see what happens on the 12th. But I will say if Iran threatens us in any way they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid," Trump on April 24, 2018, Washington DC.&nbsp;

While all eyes are set at the US President's landmark announcement on Iran nuclear deal, here's a quick look at some of the statements he made on the nuclear accord

US President Donald Trump said he would announce a decision on the future of the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday at 2.pm (United States time) as European countries piled pressure on Washington to remain in the 2015 agreement. × Trump has threatened to withdraw from the deal, which provided Iran with relief from economic sanctions in exchange for limiting its uranium enrichment capacity unless European signatories to the accord fix what he has called its shortcomings. Trump has until May 12 to decide whether to reintroduce US sanctions on Iran, which would deal a heavy blow to the agreement. While all eyes are set at the US President's landmark announcement on one of the biggest nuclear agreements of all times, here's a quick look at some of his statements on the nuclear accord. 1. "Never ever ever in my life have I seen any transaction so incompetently negotiated as our deal with Iran -- and I mean never," Donald Trump as Republican presidential candidate on September 9, 2015, Washington DC. 2. "Because they're not stupid people (the Iranians), they're very smart people and they're great negotiators, and in two days they get a check for one hundred fifty billion dollars. OK? They don't want to take a --- see, the difference is if they did that with me, I'd say you're not getting your money back, you're in default for what you did, no -- you're in default," Donald Trump as Republican presidential candidate in Iowa, January 15, 2016. 3. "They are not living up to the spirit of the agreement, I can tell you that, and we are analyzing it very, very carefully and we'll have something to say about it in the not-too-distant future. But Iran has not lived up to the spirit of the agreement," Donald Trump as US President on April 20, 2017, Washington DC. 4. "But it was a terrible, a terrible thing for the United States to enter that deal and believe me Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, that I can tell you," Donald Trump on May 22, 2017, Jerusalem. 5. "If that deal doesn't conform to what it's supposed to conform to, there's going to be big big problems for them, that I can tell you. You're going to see that," Trump in Ohio, US on July 25, 2017. "Never ever ever in my life have I seen any transaction so incompetently negotiated as our deal with Iran -- and I mean never," Donald Trump as Republican presidential candidate on September 9, 2015 × 6. "The Iran deal was one of the worst and one-side transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States, and I don't think you've heard the last of it. Believe me," Donald Trump at the United Nations, September 19, 2017. 7. "Today, I am announcing our strategy along with several major steps we are taking to confront the training regimes hostile actions and to ensure that Iran never and I mean never acquires a nuclear weapon," US President in Washington DC, October 13, 2017 8. "In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated," US President in Washington DC, October 13, 2017. 9. "But, the Iran deal was something that I felt had to be done. And we'll see what phase two is. Phase two might be positive it might be very negative. Might be a total termination: that's a very real possibility. Some would say that's a greater possibility. But, it also could turn out to be very positive. We'll see what happens. I thought the tone of the Iranian leaders was very modified. And, I was happy to see that but I don't know if that means anything," Trump in Washington DC, October 16, 2017. 10. "But there is a chance and nobody knows what I'm going to do on the 12th -- although Mr. President, you have a pretty good idea -- but we'll see, but we'll see, also, if I do what some people expect. Whether or not it will be possible to do a new deal with solid foundations because this is a deal with decayed foundations. It's a bad deal. It's a bad structure. It's falling down, should have never ever been made. I blame Congress. I blame a lot of people for it. But it should have never been made. And we're going to see what happens on the 12th. But I will say if Iran threatens us in any way they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid," Trump on April 24, 2018, Washington DC.

A timeline of Trump's statements on Iran nuclear deal

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump will decide the future of the Iran nuclear deal today. Signed in the year 2015, between Iran and P5+1 countries (China, Russia, France, United States, Germany and the UK) in Vienna, the accord called for Iran to&nbsp;accept&nbsp;restraints on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of UN, European and US nuclear-related economic sanctions.&nbsp;

As per the agreement, Iran agreed to eliminate its stock of medium-enriched and low-enriched uranium and exercise strict control over its uranium-enrichment activities. The country also agreed to reduce the number of its gas centrifuges by about two-thirds for 13 years.&nbsp;

The deal gave the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) a regular access to all Iranian nuclear facilities.&nbsp;

Time and again, the US President has threatened to pull out of the deal. Countries like Germany and France have been trying to persuade Donald Trump not to scrap the deal. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that calling off the JCPOA "would open the Pandora’s box. There could be war".

On 30 April 2018, the United States and Israel announced that Iran violated one of the clauses stated in the 2015 agreement which required the country to disclose a past covert nuclear weapons program to the IAEA.

While all eyes are set on Trump's announcement on JCPOA today, here are four possible avenues he could take on the fate of the 2015 deal.

Trump could claim that Iran is not living up to the deal by pointing to last week’s revelation by Israel of what it said was evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme, most of which was already known to the international community and UN&nbsp;nuclear inspectors.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is in compliance with the agreement. While senior US&nbsp;officials acknowledge that Iran has complied with the letter of the accord, Trump points to Iran's ballistic missile activity and regional conduct as evidence of the deal's shortcomings.

Scenario 1: Trump re-issues sanctions waivers

Trump could waive US&nbsp;sanctions on Iran’s central bank and oil exports – as he has done every four months – while continuing talks with Germany, France and Britain on a side agreement that addresses what he sees as the deal's flaws.&nbsp;

Scenario 2: Trump does not waive sanctions

Trump could decide not to waive the US&nbsp;sanctions, under which the penalties would take effect 180 days later, and leave it to European allies – who favour preserving the deal - to decide on their own course of action. In this scenario, Iran would have to decide whether it will continue to abide by the accord's restrictions on its nuclear programme.

Scenario 3:&nbsp;Trump doesn't waive sanctions, but could reconsider

Trump could decide not to waive sanctions, but announce that he could restore the waivers before the penalties for violating the sanctions go back into effect if European allies reach a side agreement with the United States. Again, it would be Iran’s choice whether to continue abiding by the deal in the meantime.

Scenario 4: Trump doesn't waive sanctions and says Iran violating the deal 

Trump could announce that he will not waive the sanctions, and, citing the purported evidence revealed by Israel, claim that Iran is violating the deal. The United States could then use a dispute resolution mechanism laid out in the JCPOA to seek a “snap-back” of UN&nbsp;sanctions on Iran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is in compliance with the agreement

US President Donald Trump will decide the future of the Iran nuclear deal today. Signed in the year 2015, between Iran and P5+1 countries (China, Russia, France, United States, Germany and the UK) in Vienna, the accord called for Iran to accept restraints on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of UN, European and US nuclear-related economic sanctions. As per the agreement, Iran agreed to eliminate its stock of medium-enriched and low-enriched uranium and exercise strict control over its uranium-enrichment activities. The country also agreed to reduce the number of its gas centrifuges by about two-thirds for 13 years. The deal gave the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) a regular access to all Iranian nuclear facilities. Time and again, the US President has threatened to pull out of the deal. Countries like Germany and France have been trying to persuade Donald Trump not to scrap the deal. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that calling off the JCPOA "would open the Pandora’s box. There could be war". On 30 April 2018, the United States and Israel announced that Iran violated one of the clauses stated in the 2015 agreement which required the country to disclose a past covert nuclear weapons program to the IAEA. While all eyes are set on Trump's announcement on JCPOA today, here are four possible avenues he could take on the fate of the 2015 deal. Trump could claim that Iran is not living up to the deal by pointing to last week’s revelation by Israel of what it said was evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme, most of which was already known to the international community and UN nuclear inspectors. The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is in compliance with the agreement. While senior US officials acknowledge that Iran has complied with the letter of the accord, Trump points to Iran's ballistic missile activity and regional conduct as evidence of the deal's shortcomings. Scenario 1: Trump re-issues sanctions waivers Trump could waive US sanctions on Iran’s central bank and oil exports – as he has done every four months – while continuing talks with Germany, France and Britain on a side agreement that addresses what he sees as the deal's flaws. Scenario 2: Trump does not waive sanctions Trump could decide not to waive the US sanctions, under which the penalties would take effect 180 days later, and leave it to European allies – who favour preserving the deal - to decide on their own course of action. In this scenario, Iran would have to decide whether it will continue to abide by the accord's restrictions on its nuclear programme. Scenario 3: Trump doesn't waive sanctions, but could reconsider Trump could decide not to waive sanctions, but announce that he could restore the waivers before the penalties for violating the sanctions go back into effect if European allies reach a side agreement with the United States. Again, it would be Iran’s choice whether to continue abiding by the deal in the meantime. Scenario 4: Trump doesn't waive sanctions and says Iran violating the deal Trump could announce that he will not waive the sanctions, and, citing the purported evidence revealed by Israel, claim that Iran is violating the deal. The United States could then use a dispute resolution mechanism laid out in the JCPOA to seek a “snap-back” of UN sanctions on Iran.

What could be Trump's possible options on Iran nuclear deal?

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-elections-sonia-hits-campaign-trail-after-2-years-says-wherever-modi-goes-he-distorts-historical-facts-135515">Karnataka elections: Sonia hits campaign trail after 2 years. Says wherever Modi goes, he distorts facts</a>

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi hit the campaign trail Tuesday after two years, and immediately went on the attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-and-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-met-in-china-reports-135511">Xi Jinping and North Korea's Kim Jong-Un meet in China</a>

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-Un met in northeast China on Tuesday in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader ahead of an expected summit with US President Donald Trump.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-here-is-the-first-picture-of-the-newlyweds-sonam-kapoor-and-anand-ahuja--135478">Here is the first picture of the newlyweds: Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja</a>

The couple got married in Mumbai at Rockdale as the entire Bollywood fraternity turned up to wish the young couple in their new phase of lives.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/islamist-group-youth-leader-accused-of-shooting-pakistani-minister-police-135524">Islamist group youth leader accused of shooting Pakistani minister: Police</a>

The gunman accused of shooting and wounding&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-interior-minister-ahsan-iqbal-was-an-easy-target-says-primary-suspect-after-assassination-attempt-135300">Pakistan's interior minister</a>&nbspis a youth leader of a hardline religious group that sees its mission as enforcing death for blasphemers and ridding government of secular influence, police said in a report.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-losing-everything-due-to-trump-135503">Iran's Rouhani 'losing everything' due to Trump</a>

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani staked his legacy on efforts to end decades of tension with the West. With the landmark nuclear deal unravelling, what hope is there for his political future?

Karnataka elections: Sonia hits campaign trail after 2 years. Says wherever Modi goes, he distorts facts Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi hit the campaign trail Tuesday after two years, and immediately went on the attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Xi Jinping and North Korea's Kim Jong-Un meet in China Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-Un met in northeast China on Tuesday in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader ahead of an expected summit with US President Donald Trump. Here is the first picture of the newlyweds: Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja The couple got married in Mumbai at Rockdale as the entire Bollywood fraternity turned up to wish the young couple in their new phase of lives. Islamist group youth leader accused of shooting Pakistani minister: Police The gunman accused of shooting and wounding Pakistan's interior minister&nbspis a youth leader of a hardline religious group that sees its mission as enforcing death for blasphemers and ridding government of secular influence, police said in a report. Iran's Rouhani 'losing everything' due to Trump Iran's President Hassan Rouhani staked his legacy on efforts to end decades of tension with the West. With the landmark nuclear deal unravelling, what hope is there for his political future?

Oil prices retreated from three-and-a-half-year highs on Tuesday as investors waited on an announcement by President Donald Trump on whether the United States will reimpose sanctions on Iran.

Should Trump pull the United States out of a multi-nation agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme, Iranian crude exports could be hit, adding to tightness in the oil market, which is coming back into balance after years of glut.

US&nbspWest Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 63 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $70.10 a barrel by 0024 GMT. At one point they fell below $70, after settling above that level for the first time since November 2014 on Monday.

Brent crude futures were down 53 cents, or 0.7 percent, at $75.64, having jumped 1.7 percent to settle at $76.17 a barrel in the previous session.

Trump said on Monday a decision on whether to remain in the Iran nuclear deal or to impose sanctions would be announced at 2:00 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) on Tuesday, four days earlier than expected.

Trump is likely to either announce he will not be renewing a waiver on sanctions, leading to a "significant reduction" in Iranian oil sales within six months, or will restate his opposition to the nuclear agreement, Barclays Research analysts said in a report.

"Regardless, his foreign policy continues to ignite tensions in the main oil-exporting centre and is, thus, price supportive," they said.

If Trump restores core US. sanctions, under US&nbsplaw he must wait at least 180 days before imposing their furthest-reaching measure, which is to target banks of nations that fail to significantly cut their purchases of Iranian oil.

Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said Iran's exports could be cut by 200,000 to 300,000 bpd as a result. Iranian officials, however, said that the country's oil industry would continue to develop even if the United States exits the accord.

If Trump restores core US. sanctions, under US law he must wait at least 180 days before imposing their furthest-reaching measure

Oil prices retreated from three-and-a-half-year highs on Tuesday as investors waited on an announcement by President Donald Trump on whether the United States will reimpose sanctions on Iran. Should Trump pull the United States out of a multi-nation agreement on Tehran's nuclear programme, Iranian crude exports could be hit, adding to tightness in the oil market, which is coming back into balance after years of glut. US&nbspWest Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 63 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $70.10 a barrel by 0024 GMT. At one point they fell below $70, after settling above that level for the first time since November 2014 on Monday. Brent crude futures were down 53 cents, or 0.7 percent, at $75.64, having jumped 1.7 percent to settle at $76.17 a barrel in the previous session. Trump said on Monday a decision on whether to remain in the Iran nuclear deal or to impose sanctions would be announced at 2:00 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) on Tuesday, four days earlier than expected. Trump is likely to either announce he will not be renewing a waiver on sanctions, leading to a "significant reduction" in Iranian oil sales within six months, or will restate his opposition to the nuclear agreement, Barclays Research analysts said in a report. "Regardless, his foreign policy continues to ignite tensions in the main oil-exporting centre and is, thus, price supportive," they said. If Trump restores core US. sanctions, under US&nbsplaw he must wait at least 180 days before imposing their furthest-reaching measure, which is to target banks of nations that fail to significantly cut their purchases of Iranian oil. Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said Iran's exports could be cut by 200,000 to 300,000 bpd as a result. Iranian officials, however, said that the country's oil industry would continue to develop even if the United States exits the accord.

Oil prices fall as market awaits Trump decision on Iran

US President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-options-on-iran-nuclear-deal-135293">Donald Trump</a> is set to decide the fate of the landmark <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/ahead-of-us-decision-on-iran-deal-a-look-at-gulf-oil-diplomacy-135492">Iran nuclear deal</a> on Tuesday, announcing his verdict on US sanctions relief underpinning the international accord, which he has repeatedly and harshly criticised.

Officials and diplomats expect the pugnacious US leader to ignore last-ditch European pleas and move to withdraw the United States from a 2015 agreement, which he insists was "very badly negotiated".

Trump has unsuccessfully demanded changes to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-nuclear-deal--135480">Obama-era deal</a>, which saw Iran mothball a suspected nuclear weapons program in return for massive sanctions relief.

Months of intensive talks between the United States and European allies now appear deadlocked, with Berlin, London and Paris refusing to rewrite the agreement. The prospect of Trump pulling out of the deal has left many West Asian countries concerned.

"I can't say if the US will walk away from the Iran nuclear deal but we have to all work together and strive for Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons," Jordan's foreign minister Ayman al-Safadi said.

"If we do not look at the political picture and ... find a way to ensure that the whole region is free of (these weapons), we'll be looking at a lot of dangerous repercussions that will affect the region in terms of an arms race," he said.

In March, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told CBS news that his kingdom would "without a doubt" develop nuclear weapons if Iran, Riyadh's arch foe, did so.

Trump has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/a-timeline-of-trumps-statements-on-the-iran-nuclear-deal-135463">consistently threatened to pull out</a> of the 2015 agreement because it does not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its role in wars in Syria and Yemen, and does not permanently prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

One European diplomat echoed the mood around foreign embassies in Washington, saying "there is plainly a difference of opinion," acknowledging that Trump seems poised to walk away from the accord.

WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES ARE SAYING

Germany and France on Monday vowed to stand by the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers even if the United States pulls out.

"This agreement is not the best one in the world," France's Defence Minister Florence Parly told RTL radio. "But without being perfect, it still has its virtues... and they (the Iranians) are respecting it," she said.

Volker Kauder, head of Merkel's conservatives in parliament, said continued dialogue was needed to avoid isolating Iran.

"That would only further exacerbate the situation in the Middle East," Kauder told reporters in Murnau, where Merkel and other leaders of the coalition government are gathered for a retreat.

Andrea Nahles, head of the Social Democrats, junior partner in the coalition, also warned against a US decision to withdraw from the accord. "The situation is more difficult than ever. Things are falling apart at every corner," she said.

'READY FOR ANY SCENARIO'

Iran has, meanwhile, said that it will not re-negotiate and will resist any American attempt to counter its presence in West Asia. <a href="www.wionews.com/world/what-could-iran-do-if-trump-pulls-out-of-nuclear-deal-135382">Iran also said</a> that it is ready for any scenario.

"We are ready for any possible scenario... If the United States violates the deal, it would be naive to negotiate with this country again," Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri was quoted as saying by news agency Tasnim.

Iranian officials say all this amounts to a flagrant violation of article 29 of the nuclear deal, which committed the US to ensure "the normalisation of trade and economic relations with Iran".

The US counters that it never promised to lift non-nuclear sanctions related to issues such as human rights and Iran's missile programme, which were already complicating trade before Trump came to power.

Trump has consistently threatened to pull out of the 2015 agreement because it does not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its role in wars in Syria and Yemen.

US President Donald Trump is set to decide the fate of the landmark Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday, announcing his verdict on US sanctions relief underpinning the international accord, which he has repeatedly and harshly criticised. Officials and diplomats expect the pugnacious US leader to ignore last-ditch European pleas and move to withdraw the United States from a 2015 agreement, which he insists was "very badly negotiated". Trump has unsuccessfully demanded changes to the Obama-era deal, which saw Iran mothball a suspected nuclear weapons program in return for massive sanctions relief. Months of intensive talks between the United States and European allies now appear deadlocked, with Berlin, London and Paris refusing to rewrite the agreement. The prospect of Trump pulling out of the deal has left many West Asian countries concerned. "I can't say if the US will walk away from the Iran nuclear deal but we have to all work together and strive for Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons," Jordan's foreign minister Ayman al-Safadi said. "If we do not look at the political picture and ... find a way to ensure that the whole region is free of (these weapons), we'll be looking at a lot of dangerous repercussions that will affect the region in terms of an arms race," he said. In March, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told CBS news that his kingdom would "without a doubt" develop nuclear weapons if Iran, Riyadh's arch foe, did so. Trump has consistently threatened to pull out of the 2015 agreement because it does not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its role in wars in Syria and Yemen, and does not permanently prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. One European diplomat echoed the mood around foreign embassies in Washington, saying "there is plainly a difference of opinion," acknowledging that Trump seems poised to walk away from the accord. WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES ARE SAYING Germany and France on Monday vowed to stand by the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers even if the United States pulls out. "This agreement is not the best one in the world," France's Defence Minister Florence Parly told RTL radio. "But without being perfect, it still has its virtues... and they (the Iranians) are respecting it," she said. Volker Kauder, head of Merkel's conservatives in parliament, said continued dialogue was needed to avoid isolating Iran. "That would only further exacerbate the situation in the Middle East," Kauder told reporters in Murnau, where Merkel and other leaders of the coalition government are gathered for a retreat. Andrea Nahles, head of the Social Democrats, junior partner in the coalition, also warned against a US decision to withdraw from the accord. "The situation is more difficult than ever. Things are falling apart at every corner," she said. 'READY FOR ANY SCENARIO' Iran has, meanwhile, said that it will not re-negotiate and will resist any American attempt to counter its presence in West Asia. Iran also said that it is ready for any scenario. "We are ready for any possible scenario... If the United States violates the deal, it would be naive to negotiate with this country again," Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri was quoted as saying by news agency Tasnim. Iranian officials say all this amounts to a flagrant violation of article 29 of the nuclear deal, which committed the US to ensure "the normalisation of trade and economic relations with Iran". The US counters that it never promised to lift non-nuclear sanctions related to issues such as human rights and Iran's missile programme, which were already complicating trade before Trump came to power.

What will happen to West Asia if Trump pulls out of Iran nuclear deal?

India's ties with the United States has been helped along by the personal chemistry of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, but the US President's policies, first towards Russia <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-will-happen-to-west-asia-if-trump-pulls-out-of-iran-nuclear-deal-135516">and now Iran</a>, are causing anxieties to New Delhi.

Russia is among the biggest exporters of military hardware to India, and Iran is the third largest supplier of oil to India. Together, they are crucial for India's defence and energy security.

But the recent US sanctions on Russia threaten the defence relationship between New Delhi and Moscow.

The sanctions make it more difficult for Indian banks to make payment to Russian state-owned arms manufacturers.

India is also scrambling to insulate Russian defence purchases from the American domestic law called Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which mandates the Trump administration to punish entities engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence sectors of Russia.

On August 2 last year, Trump signed into law the act, which among other things, imposes new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea.

India is currently in an advance stage of negotiations with Russia for five S-400 system worth an estimate US $4.5 billion.

The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. The S-400 missile system can fire three types of missiles and simultaneously engage 36 targets, thereby creating a layered defence.

As if this was not enough, Trump's opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, with its attendant consequences, comes just as India ramps up ties with Iran.

Any instability in what India sees as its extended neighbourhood will have implications for New Delhi. Disruption of oil imports from Iran will be an immediate worry.

Between April 2017 and January this year, Iran was India's third largest supplier of crude oil after Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

The mode of payment for the oil imported is another concern as banks would be reluctant to route payments to Iran because of the fear of inviting adverse reaction from the US.

India is also invested in developing the Chabahar port in Iran. It is of immense strategic importance for both India and the land-locked Afghanistan.

The other connectivity project of interest of to India is the international north-south transport corridor linking India with Central Asia and Russia via Iran.

In fact, this was a major point of discussion during Iranian <a href="www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-losing-everything-due-to-trump-135503">President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to India</a> in February, 2018.

The joint statement issued towards the end of his visit said, "The two leaders agreed on the deepening trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. In this context, they recognised the need to put in place an effective banking channel for business transactions. It was noted that permission for the Iranian Pasargad Bank to open a branch in India was under advance consideration. It was also agreed to set up a joint committee of officials to examine feasible options, including Rupee-Rial arrangement, Asian clearing union mechanism to establish functional payment channels."

India lost a decade in its relations with Iran after voting against it in the international atomic energy agency in 2005. Iran retaliated immediately by cancelling a deal for selling liquefied natural gas or LNG to India.

It was only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power that the ties began to look up. But, if the Iran nuclear deal unravels, West Asia may face new problems, which could potentially create a new global crisis at India's doorstep.

Any instability in what India sees as its extended neighbourhood will have implications for New Delhi. Disruption of oil imports from Iran will be an immediate worry.

India's ties with the United States has been helped along by the personal chemistry of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, but the US President's policies, first towards Russia and now Iran, are causing anxieties to New Delhi. Russia is among the biggest exporters of military hardware to India, and Iran is the third largest supplier of oil to India. Together, they are crucial for India's defence and energy security. But the recent US sanctions on Russia threaten the defence relationship between New Delhi and Moscow. The sanctions make it more difficult for Indian banks to make payment to Russian state-owned arms manufacturers. India is also scrambling to insulate Russian defence purchases from the American domestic law called Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which mandates the Trump administration to punish entities engaging in significant transaction with the defence or intelligence sectors of Russia. On August 2 last year, Trump signed into law the act, which among other things, imposes new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. India is currently in an advance stage of negotiations with Russia for five S-400 system worth an estimate US $4.5 billion. The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. The S-400 missile system can fire three types of missiles and simultaneously engage 36 targets, thereby creating a layered defence. As if this was not enough, Trump's opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, with its attendant consequences, comes just as India ramps up ties with Iran. Any instability in what India sees as its extended neighbourhood will have implications for New Delhi. Disruption of oil imports from Iran will be an immediate worry. Between April 2017 and January this year, Iran was India's third largest supplier of crude oil after Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The mode of payment for the oil imported is another concern as banks would be reluctant to route payments to Iran because of the fear of inviting adverse reaction from the US. India is also invested in developing the Chabahar port in Iran. It is of immense strategic importance for both India and the land-locked Afghanistan. The other connectivity project of interest of to India is the international north-south transport corridor linking India with Central Asia and Russia via Iran. In fact, this was a major point of discussion during Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to India in February, 2018. The joint statement issued towards the end of his visit said, "The two leaders agreed on the deepening trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. In this context, they recognised the need to put in place an effective banking channel for business transactions. It was noted that permission for the Iranian Pasargad Bank to open a branch in India was under advance consideration. It was also agreed to set up a joint committee of officials to examine feasible options, including Rupee-Rial arrangement, Asian clearing union mechanism to establish functional payment channels." India lost a decade in its relations with Iran after voting against it in the international atomic energy agency in 2005. Iran retaliated immediately by cancelling a deal for selling liquefied natural gas or LNG to India. It was only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power that the ties began to look up. But, if the Iran nuclear deal unravels, West Asia may face new problems, which could potentially create a new global crisis at India's doorstep.

Trump's decision on Iran can impact India. Here's how

Iran is readying the first commercial exports of its West Karoun crude oil grade for May or June, two sources familiar with the matter said, even as fresh economic sanctions against the country loom.

Iran has already been shipping samples of the grade to customers since production from the West Karoun oilfields in southwest Iran nearly doubled in the past year to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), the sources said. A new export facility allows West Karoun to be shipped directly rather than blended with other grades.

"Initial cargoes of West Karoun will be sold on a spot basis as the quality of the crude is yet to be established." said one of the two sources.

This means that buyers have no obligation to take regular amounts of the crude as they do under the long-term off-take agreements that are typical for Middle East oil sales.

Iran used to sell crude only under long-term deals before economic sanctions were imposed in 2012, but began spot sales after sanctions were lifted in 2016 to regain market share.

"Some refiners have taken the sample," the second source said, adding West Karoun is new production so Iran "needs to wait for the quality to stabilise".

Iran's effort to develop demand for West Karoun suggests Tehran hopes to sell the oil even in the face of possible new sanctions.

The United States and some European countries agreed to impose the earlier economic sanctions to halt Iran's alleged nuclear weapons programme. The United States, China, Great Britain, the European Union, Russia and France agreed to lift the sanctions in return for Iran halting some nuclear activities and allowing inspections of atomic sites.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the deal by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, unless European signatories of the accord fix what he calls its "flaws".

Trump is scheduled to announce his decision on the nuclear deal at 2 pm EST (1800 GMT) on May 8, four days before the waiver decision.

Uncertainty over the United States' participation in the nuclear deal has partially fuelled a rally in global oil prices to over three-year highs.

The sanctions cut Iran's crude exports from a peak of 2.5 million bpd before 2012 to a little more than 1 million bpd. The country re-emerged as a major oil exporter when they were removed.

Trump is scheduled to announce his decision on the nuclear deal at 2 pm EST (1800 GMT) on May 8, four days before the waiver decision.

Iran is readying the first commercial exports of its West Karoun crude oil grade for May or June, two sources familiar with the matter said, even as fresh economic sanctions against the country loom. Iran has already been shipping samples of the grade to customers since production from the West Karoun oilfields in southwest Iran nearly doubled in the past year to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), the sources said. A new export facility allows West Karoun to be shipped directly rather than blended with other grades. "Initial cargoes of West Karoun will be sold on a spot basis as the quality of the crude is yet to be established." said one of the two sources. This means that buyers have no obligation to take regular amounts of the crude as they do under the long-term off-take agreements that are typical for Middle East oil sales. Iran used to sell crude only under long-term deals before economic sanctions were imposed in 2012, but began spot sales after sanctions were lifted in 2016 to regain market share. "Some refiners have taken the sample," the second source said, adding West Karoun is new production so Iran "needs to wait for the quality to stabilise". Iran's effort to develop demand for West Karoun suggests Tehran hopes to sell the oil even in the face of possible new sanctions. The United States and some European countries agreed to impose the earlier economic sanctions to halt Iran's alleged nuclear weapons programme. The United States, China, Great Britain, the European Union, Russia and France agreed to lift the sanctions in return for Iran halting some nuclear activities and allowing inspections of atomic sites. US President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the deal by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, unless European signatories of the accord fix what he calls its "flaws". Trump is scheduled to announce his decision on the nuclear deal at 2 pm EST (1800 GMT) on May 8, four days before the waiver decision. Uncertainty over the United States' participation in the nuclear deal has partially fuelled a rally in global oil prices to over three-year highs. The sanctions cut Iran's crude exports from a peak of 2.5 million bpd before 2012 to a little more than 1 million bpd. The country re-emerged as a major oil exporter when they were removed.

Iran prepares to export new oil grade amid sanctions threat: Sources

The Iran-backed Shi'ite group Hezbollah and its political allies looked set to win more than half the seats in Lebanon's first parliamentary election in nine years, according to preliminary results cited by politicians and Lebanese media.

The result, if confirmed by the final count, would boost Hezbollah politically, with parties and individuals aligned with the heavily armed group securing a simple majority in parliament in Sunday's election.

Hezbollah's powerful position in Lebanon reflects Iran's regional ascendancy through Iraq and Syria all the way to Beirut. It is classified as a terrorist group by the United States and an enemy of neighbouring Israel.

The unofficial results also indicated that Western-backed Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri would emerge as the Sunni Islamic leader with the biggest bloc in the 128-seat parliament, making him the frontrunner to form the next government even though he lost seats.

Lebanon's prime minister must be a Sunni according to the country's sectarian power-sharing system. The new government, like the outgoing one, is expected to include all the main parties. Talks over Cabinet posts are expected to take time.

International donors want to see Beirut embark on serious economic reforms to reduce state debt levels before they will release billions pledged at a Paris conference in April.

The election was held under a complex new law that redrew constituency boundaries and changed the electoral system from winner-takes-all to a proportional one. The interior minister said official results would be declared on Monday morning.

The staunchly anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces, a Christian party, appears to have emerged as a big winner, nearly doubling its MPs to 15 from eight, according to the unofficial indications.

Hezbollah and groups and individuals affiliated to it secured at least 67 seats, according to a Reuters calculation based on preliminary results for nearly all the seats that were obtained from politicians and campaigns and reported in Lebanese media.

Hezbollah's allies include the Shi'ite Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the Christian Free Patriotic Movement established by President Michel Aoun and other groups and individuals that view its weapons as an asset to Lebanon.

Hezbollah-backed Sunnis did well in the cities of Beirut, Tripoli and Sidon, strongholds of Hariri's Future Movement, the unofficial results showed.

But Hezbollah lost ground in one of its strongholds, the Baalbek-Hermel constituency. Two of the 10 seats there were won by its opponents, one going to the Lebanese Forces and the other to Future.

Hezbollah-backed winners include Jamil al-Sayyed, a retired Shi'ite general and former Lebanese intelligence chief who is a close friend of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to the unofficial results.

Sayyed was one of the most powerful men in Lebanon in the 15 years of Syrian domination that followed the 1975-90 civil war. Another face from that era, Abdul Rahim Mrad, will also make a comeback having won a Sunni seat, the unofficial results show.

Turnout was 49.2 percent, down from 54 percent the last time legislative elections were held nine years ago.

Lebanon should have held a parliamentary election in 2013 but MPs instead voted to extend their own term because leaders could not agree on a new parliamentary election law.

An anti-Hezbollah alliance led by Hariri and backed by Saudi Arabia won a majority in parliament in 2009.

But that "March 14" alliance has disintegrated and Saudi Arabia has switched its attention and resources to confronting Iran in other parts of the region, notably Yemen.

Samir Geagea, the Lebanese Forces leader, said the results showed there was a "popular ground" that backs March 14 and would "give us strength and a push to fix the path much more than we were able to in the past years".

Geagea is Hezbollah's most prominent Lebanese Christian opponent. He led the Lebanese Forces militia in the last years of the civil war, during which he was an adversary of Aoun.

The question of Hezbollah's weapons has slipped down the political agenda in Lebanon in recent years. Hezbollah has grown militarily more powerful since 2012, deploying its fighters to Syria and Iraq where it has fought in support of Iranian allies.

Hariri, who led years of political conflict with the group, says it is an issue to be resolved at the regional level through dialogue.

The Lebanon vote is to be followed on May 12 by an Iraqi election that is also set to underline Iran's reach, with one of three pro-Tehran Shi'ite leaders set to become prime minister.

Enhanced Hezbollah sway over Lebanon will likely alarm the United States, which arms and trains the Lebanese army.

But the group and its allies are not on course to win the two-thirds majority that would allow them to pass big decisions such as changing the constitution.

The result, if confirmed by the final count, would boost Hezbollah politically, with parties and individuals aligned with the heavily armed group securing a simple majority in parliament in Sunday's election

The Iran-backed Shi'ite group Hezbollah and its political allies looked set to win more than half the seats in Lebanon's first parliamentary election in nine years, according to preliminary results cited by politicians and Lebanese media. The result, if confirmed by the final count, would boost Hezbollah politically, with parties and individuals aligned with the heavily armed group securing a simple majority in parliament in Sunday's election. Hezbollah's powerful position in Lebanon reflects Iran's regional ascendancy through Iraq and Syria all the way to Beirut. It is classified as a terrorist group by the United States and an enemy of neighbouring Israel. The unofficial results also indicated that Western-backed Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri would emerge as the Sunni Islamic leader with the biggest bloc in the 128-seat parliament, making him the frontrunner to form the next government even though he lost seats. Lebanon's prime minister must be a Sunni according to the country's sectarian power-sharing system. The new government, like the outgoing one, is expected to include all the main parties. Talks over Cabinet posts are expected to take time. International donors want to see Beirut embark on serious economic reforms to reduce state debt levels before they will release billions pledged at a Paris conference in April. The election was held under a complex new law that redrew constituency boundaries and changed the electoral system from winner-takes-all to a proportional one. The interior minister said official results would be declared on Monday morning. The staunchly anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces, a Christian party, appears to have emerged as a big winner, nearly doubling its MPs to 15 from eight, according to the unofficial indications. Hezbollah and groups and individuals affiliated to it secured at least 67 seats, according to a Reuters calculation based on preliminary results for nearly all the seats that were obtained from politicians and campaigns and reported in Lebanese media. Hezbollah's allies include the Shi'ite Amal Movement led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the Christian Free Patriotic Movement established by President Michel Aoun and other groups and individuals that view its weapons as an asset to Lebanon. Hezbollah-backed Sunnis did well in the cities of Beirut, Tripoli and Sidon, strongholds of Hariri's Future Movement, the unofficial results showed. But Hezbollah lost ground in one of its strongholds, the Baalbek-Hermel constituency. Two of the 10 seats there were won by its opponents, one going to the Lebanese Forces and the other to Future. Hezbollah-backed winners include Jamil al-Sayyed, a retired Shi'ite general and former Lebanese intelligence chief who is a close friend of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to the unofficial results. Sayyed was one of the most powerful men in Lebanon in the 15 years of Syrian domination that followed the 1975-90 civil war. Another face from that era, Abdul Rahim Mrad, will also make a comeback having won a Sunni seat, the unofficial results show. Turnout was 49.2 percent, down from 54 percent the last time legislative elections were held nine years ago. Lebanon should have held a parliamentary election in 2013 but MPs instead voted to extend their own term because leaders could not agree on a new parliamentary election law. An anti-Hezbollah alliance led by Hariri and backed by Saudi Arabia won a majority in parliament in 2009. But that "March 14" alliance has disintegrated and Saudi Arabia has switched its attention and resources to confronting Iran in other parts of the region, notably Yemen. Samir Geagea, the Lebanese Forces leader, said the results showed there was a "popular ground" that backs March 14 and would "give us strength and a push to fix the path much more than we were able to in the past years". Geagea is Hezbollah's most prominent Lebanese Christian opponent. He led the Lebanese Forces militia in the last years of the civil war, during which he was an adversary of Aoun. The question of Hezbollah's weapons has slipped down the political agenda in Lebanon in recent years. Hezbollah has grown militarily more powerful since 2012, deploying its fighters to Syria and Iraq where it has fought in support of Iranian allies. Hariri, who led years of political conflict with the group, says it is an issue to be resolved at the regional level through dialogue. The Lebanon vote is to be followed on May 12 by an Iraqi election that is also set to underline Iran's reach, with one of three pro-Tehran Shi'ite leaders set to become prime minister. Enhanced Hezbollah sway over Lebanon will likely alarm the United States, which arms and trains the Lebanese army. But the group and its allies are not on course to win the two-thirds majority that would allow them to pass big decisions such as changing the constitution.

Hezbollah allies set for gains in Lebanon parliament

Israel could respond to any Iranian attack on it from Syria by toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, an Israeli security cabinet minister said on Monday, hinting that Assad himself may be targeted for assassination.

Israel and Iran have traded blows over Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming ahead of next week's review decision by U.S. President Donald Trump on the 2015 international nuclear deal with Tehran.

On April 9, an air strike killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps members at the Syrian base. Tehran blamed Israel and vowed unspecified retaliation, drawing Israeli counter-threats to broaden attacks on Iranian military assets in Syria.

Sharpening these warnings, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Monday that Assad may find himself in Israel's sights.

"If Assad allows Iran to turn Syria into a military vanguard against us, to attack us from Syrian territory, he should know that would be the end of him, the end of his regime," Steinitz told the Ynet news site.

Asked if that meant Israel might assassinate Assad, Steinitz said: "His blood would be forfeit." He also appeared to suggest that his remarks did not reflect Israeli government policy, saying: "I'm not talking about any concrete proposal."

There was no immediate response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office or from Israel's Defence Ministry.

A Ynet text story had quoted Steinitz as saying explicitly that Israel would kill Assad, but this was not borne out by a video clip of the interview.

Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Russia have been reinforcing Damascus against a 7-year-old Syrian rebellion. The Israelis worry that Iran’s garrison will remain, linking with Hezbollah to form a broad Syrian-Lebanese front against them.

On Sunday, Israeli media carried what they described as an alert by Israel's intelligence services that Iran was planning a missile salvo against Israeli military bases from within Syria.

Some analysts interpreted the publication as a warning to Iran that its plans were known, lest it try to carry out the missile strike without explicitly claiming responsibility.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss Syria, where Moscow wants to see Assad's rule restored.

"Whoever is interested in Assad's survival should do the honour of telling Assad to prevent attacks on Israel," Steinitz said, alluding to Putin.

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz hinted that Assad himself may be targeted for assassination

Israel could respond to any Iranian attack on it from Syria by toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, an Israeli security cabinet minister said on Monday, hinting that Assad himself may be targeted for assassination. Israel and Iran have traded blows over Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming ahead of next week's review decision by U.S. President Donald Trump on the 2015 international nuclear deal with Tehran. On April 9, an air strike killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps members at the Syrian base. Tehran blamed Israel and vowed unspecified retaliation, drawing Israeli counter-threats to broaden attacks on Iranian military assets in Syria. Sharpening these warnings, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Monday that Assad may find himself in Israel's sights. "If Assad allows Iran to turn Syria into a military vanguard against us, to attack us from Syrian territory, he should know that would be the end of him, the end of his regime," Steinitz told the Ynet news site. Asked if that meant Israel might assassinate Assad, Steinitz said: "His blood would be forfeit." He also appeared to suggest that his remarks did not reflect Israeli government policy, saying: "I'm not talking about any concrete proposal." There was no immediate response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office or from Israel's Defence Ministry. A Ynet text story had quoted Steinitz as saying explicitly that Israel would kill Assad, but this was not borne out by a video clip of the interview. Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Russia have been reinforcing Damascus against a 7-year-old Syrian rebellion. The Israelis worry that Iran’s garrison will remain, linking with Hezbollah to form a broad Syrian-Lebanese front against them. On Sunday, Israeli media carried what they described as an alert by Israel's intelligence services that Iran was planning a missile salvo against Israeli military bases from within Syria. Some analysts interpreted the publication as a warning to Iran that its plans were known, lest it try to carry out the missile strike without explicitly claiming responsibility. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss Syria, where Moscow wants to see Assad's rule restored. "Whoever is interested in Assad's survival should do the honour of telling Assad to prevent attacks on Israel," Steinitz said, alluding to Putin.

Israeli response to Iran attack from Syria could be toppling Assad: Minister

President Hassan Rouhani hinted on Monday that Iran could remain in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers even if the United States dropped out but Tehran would fiercely resist US&nbsppressure to limit its influence in the Middle East.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump, a long-time critic of the deal reached between Iran and six powers in 2015 before he took office, has threatened to pull out by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, unless European signatories of the accord fix what he calls its “flaws”.

Under the agreement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Iran strictly limited uranium enrichment capacity to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were rescinded in January 2016.

Rouhani said the Islamic Republic had been preparing for every possible scenario, including a deal without Washington - which would still include the other signatories that remain committed to it - or no deal at all.

"We are not worried about America's cruel decisions ... We are prepared for all scenarios and no change will occur in our lives next week," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state TV.

"If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal. What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by its non-American signatories ... In that case, getting rid of America's mischievous presence will be fine for Iran."

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"If they want to make sure that we are not after a nuclear bomb, we have said repeatedly that we are not and we will not be," said Rouhani, who engineered the nuclear accord to ease Iran's isolation.

"But if they want to weaken Iran and limit its influence whether in the region or globally, Iran will fiercely resist."

Tehran has made repeated threats to walk away if Trump does, but several Iranian officials told Reuters last week that as long as Tehran was not excluded from the global financial and trading system, it could consider respecting the accord.

Diplomats say Tehran would rather the deal remain intact out of concern about a revival of domestic unrest over economic hardships that mounted over the years sanctions were in place.

EUROPEAN POWERS VOW TO UPHOLD DEAL

Britain, France and Germany remain committed to the accord and, in an effort to address U.S. complaints, want to open talks on Iran's ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 - when pivotal provisions of the deal expire - and its role in the wars in Syria and Yemen.

Whatever Trump decides, France, Britain and Germany will stick to the deal because it is the best way to stop Iran developing a nuclear bomb, French Foreign Minister Yean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday after meeting his German counterpart.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the deal, which is being policed by U.N. nuclear inspectors, "makes the world safer", and would do everything possible to uphold it.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, now in Washington for talks, said the deal had weaknesses but these could be remedied. "...At this moment Britain is working alongside the Trump administration and our French and German allies to ensure that they are," he said in a commentary in the New York Times.

"I am sure of one thing: every available alternative is worse. The wisest course would be to improve the handcuffs rather than break them."

Even if Trump rejects a possible remedy being worked out by U.S. and European officials and decides to bring back sanctions, the most drastic U.S. measures targeting Iran's oil sales will not immediately resume.

There are at least two avenues potentially offering more time for talks after May 12.

The agreement has a dispute resolution clause that provides at least 35 days to consider a claim that any party has violated its terms. That can be extended if all parties agree.

And if Trump restores the core U.S. sanctions, under U.S. law he must wait at least 180 days before reimposing penalties on banks of nations that do not slash purchases of Iranian oil.

Iran's clerical rulers have repeatedly ruled out reducing its sway across the region, as demanded by the United States and its European allies. Tehran says its missile capabilities are purely defensive and nuclear ambitions only civilian in nature.

The UN&nbspnuclear watchdog says it is maintaining the "world's most robust verification regime" in Iran and has repeatedly said Tehran is complying with the deal terms.

President Hassan Rouhani hinted on Monday that Iran could remain in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers even if the United States dropped out but Tehran would fiercely resist US pressure to limit its influence in the Middle East

President Hassan Rouhani hinted on Monday that Iran could remain in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers even if the United States dropped out but Tehran would fiercely resist US&nbsppressure to limit its influence in the Middle East. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump, a long-time critic of the deal reached between Iran and six powers in 2015 before he took office, has threatened to pull out by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, unless European signatories of the accord fix what he calls its “flaws”. Under the agreement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Iran strictly limited uranium enrichment capacity to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were rescinded in January 2016. Rouhani said the Islamic Republic had been preparing for every possible scenario, including a deal without Washington - which would still include the other signatories that remain committed to it - or no deal at all. "We are not worried about America's cruel decisions ... We are prepared for all scenarios and no change will occur in our lives next week," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state TV. "If we can get what we want from a deal without America, then Iran will continue to remain committed to the deal. What Iran wants is our interests to be guaranteed by its non-American signatories ... In that case, getting rid of America's mischievous presence will be fine for Iran." If they want to make sure that we are not after a nuclear bomb, we have said repeatedly that we are not and we will not be,' said Rouhani, who engineered the nuclear accord to ease Iran's isolation × "If they want to make sure that we are not after a nuclear bomb, we have said repeatedly that we are not and we will not be," said Rouhani, who engineered the nuclear accord to ease Iran's isolation. "But if they want to weaken Iran and limit its influence whether in the region or globally, Iran will fiercely resist." Tehran has made repeated threats to walk away if Trump does, but several Iranian officials told Reuters last week that as long as Tehran was not excluded from the global financial and trading system, it could consider respecting the accord. Diplomats say Tehran would rather the deal remain intact out of concern about a revival of domestic unrest over economic hardships that mounted over the years sanctions were in place. EUROPEAN POWERS VOW TO UPHOLD DEAL Britain, France and Germany remain committed to the accord and, in an effort to address U.S. complaints, want to open talks on Iran's ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 - when pivotal provisions of the deal expire - and its role in the wars in Syria and Yemen. Whatever Trump decides, France, Britain and Germany will stick to the deal because it is the best way to stop Iran developing a nuclear bomb, French Foreign Minister Yean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday after meeting his German counterpart. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the deal, which is being policed by U.N. nuclear inspectors, "makes the world safer", and would do everything possible to uphold it. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, now in Washington for talks, said the deal had weaknesses but these could be remedied. "...At this moment Britain is working alongside the Trump administration and our French and German allies to ensure that they are," he said in a commentary in the New York Times. "I am sure of one thing: every available alternative is worse. The wisest course would be to improve the handcuffs rather than break them." Even if Trump rejects a possible remedy being worked out by U.S. and European officials and decides to bring back sanctions, the most drastic U.S. measures targeting Iran's oil sales will not immediately resume. There are at least two avenues potentially offering more time for talks after May 12. The agreement has a dispute resolution clause that provides at least 35 days to consider a claim that any party has violated its terms. That can be extended if all parties agree. And if Trump restores the core U.S. sanctions, under U.S. law he must wait at least 180 days before reimposing penalties on banks of nations that do not slash purchases of Iranian oil. Iran's clerical rulers have repeatedly ruled out reducing its sway across the region, as demanded by the United States and its European allies. Tehran says its missile capabilities are purely defensive and nuclear ambitions only civilian in nature. The UN&nbspnuclear watchdog says it is maintaining the "world's most robust verification regime" in Iran and has repeatedly said Tehran is complying with the deal terms.

Iran says could remain in nuclear deal if its interests guaranteed: State TV

Key crude oil prices rose by 1 percent to their highest levels since late-2014 on Monday, pushed up by a deepening economic crisis in Venezuela and a looming decision on whether the United States will re-impose sanctions against Iran.

Brent crude oil futures were at $75.57 per barrel at 0650 GMT, up 70 cents, or 0.9 percent, from their last close. Earlier in the session, they touched their highest since November 2014 at $75.89 a barrel.

US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 70 cents, or 1 percent, to $70.42 per barrel. Monday was the first time since November 2014 that WTI had climbed above $70 per barrel.

Meanwhile, China’s Shanghai crude oil futures, launched in March, broke their dollar-converted record-high of $71.32 per barrel by rising as far as $72.54 on Monday.

Open interest and traded volumes for Shanghai crude also hit a fresh record on Monday.

Analysts warned that the deepening economic crisis in major oil exporter Venezuela threatened to further crimp its production and exports.

Shannon Rivkin, investment director of Australia’s Rivkin Securities, said that oil prices had been driven up due to “growing concerns over the economic collapse of Venezuela and its oil industry, plus possible new sanctions against Iran from the Trump administration”.

US&nbsp;oil firm ConocoPhillips has moved to take key Caribbean assets of Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award, actions that could further impair PDVSA’s declining oil production and exports.

Venezuela’s oil output has halved since the early 2000s to just 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd), as the South American country has failed to invest enough to maintain its petroleum industry.

Beyond Venezuela’s woes, Greg McKenna,&nbsp;chief&nbsp;market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader, said “the big story this week is going to be about oil and the Iran Nuclear deal”. Most market participants expect Trump to withdraw from the pact, he said.

Iran re-emerged as a major oil exporter in 2016 after international sanctions against it were lifted in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.

Expressing doubts over Iran’s sincerity, Trump has threatened to walk away from the 2015 agreement by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, which would likely result in a reduction of Iran’s oil exports.

Looming over markets, however, is surging U.S. output, which has soared by more than a quarter in the last two years, to 10.62 million bpd.

US&nbsp;output will likely rise further this year, towards or past Russia’s 11 million bpd, as its energy firms keep drilling for more.

US&nbsp;energy companies added nine oil rigs looking for new production in the week to May 4, bringing the total count to 834, the highest level since March 2015, energy services firm Baker Hughes said last Friday.

Analysts warned that the deepening economic crisis in major oil exporter Venezuela threatened to further crimp its production and exports.

Key crude oil prices rose by 1 percent to their highest levels since late-2014 on Monday, pushed up by a deepening economic crisis in Venezuela and a looming decision on whether the United States will re-impose sanctions against Iran. Brent crude oil futures were at $75.57 per barrel at 0650 GMT, up 70 cents, or 0.9 percent, from their last close. Earlier in the session, they touched their highest since November 2014 at $75.89 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 70 cents, or 1 percent, to $70.42 per barrel. Monday was the first time since November 2014 that WTI had climbed above $70 per barrel. Meanwhile, China’s Shanghai crude oil futures, launched in March, broke their dollar-converted record-high of $71.32 per barrel by rising as far as $72.54 on Monday. Open interest and traded volumes for Shanghai crude also hit a fresh record on Monday. Analysts warned that the deepening economic crisis in major oil exporter Venezuela threatened to further crimp its production and exports. Shannon Rivkin, investment director of Australia’s Rivkin Securities, said that oil prices had been driven up due to “growing concerns over the economic collapse of Venezuela and its oil industry, plus possible new sanctions against Iran from the Trump administration”. US oil firm ConocoPhillips has moved to take key Caribbean assets of Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA to enforce a $2 billion arbitration award, actions that could further impair PDVSA’s declining oil production and exports. Venezuela’s oil output has halved since the early 2000s to just 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd), as the South American country has failed to invest enough to maintain its petroleum industry. Beyond Venezuela’s woes, Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader, said “the big story this week is going to be about oil and the Iran Nuclear deal”. Most market participants expect Trump to withdraw from the pact, he said. Iran re-emerged as a major oil exporter in 2016 after international sanctions against it were lifted in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program. Expressing doubts over Iran’s sincerity, Trump has threatened to walk away from the 2015 agreement by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, which would likely result in a reduction of Iran’s oil exports. Looming over markets, however, is surging U.S. output, which has soared by more than a quarter in the last two years, to 10.62 million bpd. US output will likely rise further this year, towards or past Russia’s 11 million bpd, as its energy firms keep drilling for more. US energy companies added nine oil rigs looking for new production in the week to May 4, bringing the total count to 834, the highest level since March 2015, energy services firm Baker Hughes said last Friday.

Oil prices reach highest since November 2014 on Venezuela, Iran worries

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump spoke with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday on issues including the Iran nuclear deal, a week before the president is to decide whether Washington will leave the pact, the White House said.

Trump is set to decide by May 12 whether to withdraw from the 2015 Iran deal, in which the Islamic Republic agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump has all but decided to withdraw, White House officials said on May 2.

Still, Trump could figure out a way to stay in the deal between the Islamic Republic and six world powers: Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

Britain, France and Germany agreed that the deal is the best way of stopping Tehran from getting nuclear weapons, May's office said in late April.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Trump to stay in the deal when he met with the president in Washington last month.

In the call with May, Trump "underscored his commitment to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon," the White House said.

The two also talked about nuclear issues in North Korea. "As planning continues for his upcoming meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, President Trump emphasized his goal of a denuclearized North Korea," the White House said.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is travelling to Washington on Sunday for a two-day visit, when he will meet Vice President Mike Pence and national security adviser John Bolton, for talks on Iran, North Korea, Syria and other issues, Britain said.

"The UK, the United States, and European partners are "united in our effort to tackle the kind of Iranian behavior that makes the Middle East region less secure - its cyber activities, its support for groups like Hezbollah, and its dangerous missile program, which is arming Houthi militias in Yemen," Johnson said in a statement.

Trump is slated visit the United Kingdom in July.

Trump is set to decide by May 12 whether to withdraw from the 2015 Iran deal

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump spoke with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday on issues including the Iran nuclear deal, a week before the president is to decide whether Washington will leave the pact, the White House said. Trump is set to decide by May 12 whether to withdraw from the 2015 Iran deal, in which the Islamic Republic agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump has all but decided to withdraw, White House officials said on May 2. Still, Trump could figure out a way to stay in the deal between the Islamic Republic and six world powers: Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. Britain, France and Germany agreed that the deal is the best way of stopping Tehran from getting nuclear weapons, May's office said in late April. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Trump to stay in the deal when he met with the president in Washington last month. In the call with May, Trump "underscored his commitment to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon," the White House said. The two also talked about nuclear issues in North Korea. "As planning continues for his upcoming meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, President Trump emphasized his goal of a denuclearized North Korea," the White House said. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is travelling to Washington on Sunday for a two-day visit, when he will meet Vice President Mike Pence and national security adviser John Bolton, for talks on Iran, North Korea, Syria and other issues, Britain said. "The UK, the United States, and European partners are "united in our effort to tackle the kind of Iranian behavior that makes the Middle East region less secure - its cyber activities, its support for groups like Hezbollah, and its dangerous missile program, which is arming Houthi militias in Yemen," Johnson said in a statement. Trump is slated visit the United Kingdom in July.

Trump speaks with Britain's May on Iran, North Korea

Underscoring the importance of diplomacy in resolving major global issues, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for a strong State Department to achieve America's foreign policy goals.

In his first major address at the State Department, Pompeo yesterday said that despite having "strong relationship" with many allies, the US still needed to address the issues of North Korea and Iran, among others.&nbsp

"..There's enormous diplomatic effort to continue to keep the pressure on North Korea and bring them to the negotiating table, to a place where we can successfully eliminate the threat from Kim Jong-un's nuclear arsenal," Pompeo said.&nbsp

Pompeo met Kim last month in Pyongyang, in the build-up to a summit between the North Korean leader and Trump, the date and location for which have been decided and "will be announced soon".&nbsp

Speaking about the US' allies in Europe, Pompeo said apart from the occasional and minor hiccups, these nations had interests similar to America's.&nbsp

"We're blessed to have so many allies with strong relationships. There are, of course, rough times and places that we disagree. But these countries share our values and our interests, and we all have a common effort in ensuring prosperity for our nations moving forward," he said. 
Pompeo called for "strong diplomatic efforts" in the Middle East, especially towards Iran to prevent its "destabilising behaviour".

"We need strong diplomatic efforts there as well to prevent Iran's destabilising behaviour in Syria, in Yemen, and across the region. We have to tackle the threat from jihadist terror and from places with really weak governance," said Pompeo.

"These are all great challenges, but I'm confident that our team can develop strategies and diplomatic footprints capable of resolving them," he said.

Trump is to take a decision on the Iranian nuclear deal on May 12. He has repeatedly criticised the seven-party agreement and long threatened to walk away from the landmark deal unless its European signatories and Congress reconcile his concerns.

America's foreign policy, Pompeo argued, got to be pragmatic while still remaining principled and agile enough to respond to changing circumstances yet anchored in the fundamental ideals and values that ground the nation's history.&nbsp

Following his remarks, Pompeo took part in a memorial ceremony to honour those who lost their lives in service to the country.&nbsp

Speaking about the US' allies in Europe, Pompeo said apart from the occasional and minor hiccups, these nations had interests similar to America's

Underscoring the importance of diplomacy in resolving major global issues, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for a strong State Department to achieve America's foreign policy goals. In his first major address at the State Department, Pompeo yesterday said that despite having "strong relationship" with many allies, the US still needed to address the issues of North Korea and Iran, among others. "..There's enormous diplomatic effort to continue to keep the pressure on North Korea and bring them to the negotiating table, to a place where we can successfully eliminate the threat from Kim Jong-un's nuclear arsenal," Pompeo said. Pompeo met Kim last month in Pyongyang, in the build-up to a summit between the North Korean leader and Trump, the date and location for which have been decided and "will be announced soon". Speaking about the US' allies in Europe, Pompeo said apart from the occasional and minor hiccups, these nations had interests similar to America's. "We're blessed to have so many allies with strong relationships. There are, of course, rough times and places that we disagree. But these countries share our values and our interests, and we all have a common effort in ensuring prosperity for our nations moving forward," he said. Pompeo called for "strong diplomatic efforts" in the Middle East, especially towards Iran to prevent its "destabilising behaviour". "We need strong diplomatic efforts there as well to prevent Iran's destabilising behaviour in Syria, in Yemen, and across the region. We have to tackle the threat from jihadist terror and from places with really weak governance," said Pompeo. "These are all great challenges, but I'm confident that our team can develop strategies and diplomatic footprints capable of resolving them," he said. Trump is to take a decision on the Iranian nuclear deal on May 12. He has repeatedly criticised the seven-party agreement and long threatened to walk away from the landmark deal unless its European signatories and Congress reconcile his concerns. America's foreign policy, Pompeo argued, got to be pragmatic while still remaining principled and agile enough to respond to changing circumstances yet anchored in the fundamental ideals and values that ground the nation's history. Following his remarks, Pompeo took part in a memorial ceremony to honour those who lost their lives in service to the country.

Pompeo pushes for strong diplomatic effort to prevent Iran's 'destabilising' behaviour

Drumming up international support for his call to "fix" or "nix" the Iran nuclear deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached out to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to update him on the recent developments.

A statement from Netanyahu's media advisor yesterday said the Israeli Prime Minister spoke to three key international leaders, including Modi, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and British Prime Minister Theresa May.&nbsp;

He discussed regional issues with the world leaders and also updated them on the important material that he revealed regarding the Iranian nuclear archive, the press release stated.

Netanyahu had earlier told the media that he would share the archive of more than 100,000 documents said to have been obtained by Israel's espionage agency Mossad from a Tehran warehouse, which allegedly proves Iran's past clandestine efforts to assemble nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

"The leaders of the E3, Britain, France, and Germany&nbsp;said they want to see the material. They're very interested in seeing what we discovered," Netanyahu told journalists in his Jerusalem office.&nbsp;

Intelligence professionals from London, Paris and Berlin are coming to Jerusalem later this week to examine the material Israel presented, he said.

The Israeli Premier spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to update them about the Mossad's findings on Monday.

"I told Putin that he's welcome, too, to see the material. I also invited the leader of China and [Yukiya] Amano (the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency)," Netanyahu said.

In a sensational presentation on Monday evening, Netanyahu showcased an enormous trove of Iranian documents that he said proved the existence of Iran's nuclear Project, Amad, which Tehran claimed to have frozen in 2003.

In a daring operation, Mossad agents are said to have managed to obtain and smuggle into Israel 55,000 paper documents and 183 CDs with another 55,000 documents from what looked like a "dilapidated warehouse" in Tehran earlier this year.

Israel has expressed hope that the "irrefutable findings" would help shore up international community's longstanding suspicion that the Islamic Republic was investing great efforts in building a nuclear weapon.

There has been speculation in the Israeli media that close ally United States will pull out of the Iranian nuclear deal on May 12 and impose sanctions against the Islamic Republic "based on the reactions coming from Washington on the proof gathered by Mossad".

Commenting on the expectations, Netanyahu gave a guarded response saying, "The decision is President Trump's decision alone. He's a leader who knows to take decisions, and he takes them".

Trump, a fervent critic of the seven-party agreement, has long threatened to walk away from the landmark deal unless its European signatories and Congress reconcile his concerns.

The US President is said to be unhappy about key aspects of the "insane" pact. He has complained that the deal fails to restrict Iran's nuclear activities for long enough and to stop the country's development of ballistic missiles.

A dramatic uptick in oil prices in recent weeks has partly been driven by mounting expectations that Trump will soon pull out of the 2015 accord.&nbsp;

The Iran nuclear deal framework was a preliminary framework agreement reached in 2015 between the Islamic Republic of Iran and a group of world powers - P5+1 (meaning the five permanent members of the UNSC and Germany) and the European Union.&nbsp;

Some critics have downplayed the claims by Israel and termed Netanyahu's press conference "theatrical" arguing that the existence of Iran's clandestine nuclear weapons programme was already known and detailed in an IAEA report from 2011.&nbsp;

Israeli officials have refuted such critics saying that the world now has much more detailed knowledge of what went on there with "evidence of a whole different level".&nbsp;

A statement from Netanyahu's media advisor yesterday said the Israeli Prime Minister spoke to three key international leaders including Modi

Drumming up international support for his call to "fix" or "nix" the Iran nuclear deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached out to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to update him on the recent developments. A statement from Netanyahu's media advisor yesterday said the Israeli Prime Minister spoke to three key international leaders, including Modi, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and British Prime Minister Theresa May. He discussed regional issues with the world leaders and also updated them on the important material that he revealed regarding the Iranian nuclear archive, the press release stated. Netanyahu had earlier told the media that he would share the archive of more than 100,000 documents said to have been obtained by Israel's espionage agency Mossad from a Tehran warehouse, which allegedly proves Iran's past clandestine efforts to assemble nuclear weapons. "The leaders of the E3, Britain, France, and Germany said they want to see the material. They're very interested in seeing what we discovered," Netanyahu told journalists in his Jerusalem office. Intelligence professionals from London, Paris and Berlin are coming to Jerusalem later this week to examine the material Israel presented, he said. The Israeli Premier spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to update them about the Mossad's findings on Monday. "I told Putin that he's welcome, too, to see the material. I also invited the leader of China and [Yukiya] Amano (the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency)," Netanyahu said. In a sensational presentation on Monday evening, Netanyahu showcased an enormous trove of Iranian documents that he said proved the existence of Iran's nuclear Project, Amad, which Tehran claimed to have frozen in 2003. In a daring operation, Mossad agents are said to have managed to obtain and smuggle into Israel 55,000 paper documents and 183 CDs with another 55,000 documents from what looked like a "dilapidated warehouse" in Tehran earlier this year. Israel has expressed hope that the "irrefutable findings" would help shore up international community's longstanding suspicion that the Islamic Republic was investing great efforts in building a nuclear weapon. There has been speculation in the Israeli media that close ally United States will pull out of the Iranian nuclear deal on May 12 and impose sanctions against the Islamic Republic "based on the reactions coming from Washington on the proof gathered by Mossad". Commenting on the expectations, Netanyahu gave a guarded response saying, "The decision is President Trump's decision alone. He's a leader who knows to take decisions, and he takes them". Trump, a fervent critic of the seven-party agreement, has long threatened to walk away from the landmark deal unless its European signatories and Congress reconcile his concerns. The US President is said to be unhappy about key aspects of the "insane" pact. He has complained that the deal fails to restrict Iran's nuclear activities for long enough and to stop the country's development of ballistic missiles. A dramatic uptick in oil prices in recent weeks has partly been driven by mounting expectations that Trump will soon pull out of the 2015 accord. The Iran nuclear deal framework was a preliminary framework agreement reached in 2015 between the Islamic Republic of Iran and a group of world powers - P5+1 (meaning the five permanent members of the UNSC and Germany) and the European Union. Some critics have downplayed the claims by Israel and termed Netanyahu's press conference "theatrical" arguing that the existence of Iran's clandestine nuclear weapons programme was already known and detailed in an IAEA report from 2011. Israeli officials have refuted such critics saying that the world now has much more detailed knowledge of what went on there with "evidence of a whole different level".

Israeli PM Netanyahu briefs PM Modi on Iran's 'nuclear breaches'

Iran is determined to reject demands by US&nbspPresident Donald Trump for changes to its nuclear accord, which amount to bullying, a senior Iranian security official said on Saturday.

Trump has said that unless European allies rectify "flaws" in Tehran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers by May 12 he will refuse to extend US&nbspsanctions relief for Iran.

"This is an international agreement ... and we certainly have the capacity to defeat your bullying," Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in remarks broadcast on state television.

"You are saying that you do not accept something that was set up under the last president and it should be changed," Shamkhani said, addressing Trump.

"Who, then, guarantees that if something is done with you, the next president won't come and refuse to accept it?"

Trump has said that unless European allies rectify "flaws" in Tehran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers by May 12 he will refuse to extend US sanctions relief for Iran.

Iran is determined to reject demands by US&nbspPresident Donald Trump for changes to its nuclear accord, which amount to bullying, a senior Iranian security official said on Saturday. Trump has said that unless European allies rectify "flaws" in Tehran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers by May 12 he will refuse to extend US&nbspsanctions relief for Iran. "This is an international agreement ... and we certainly have the capacity to defeat your bullying," Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in remarks broadcast on state television. "You are saying that you do not accept something that was set up under the last president and it should be changed," Shamkhani said, addressing Trump. "Who, then, guarantees that if something is done with you, the next president won't come and refuse to accept it?"

Iran to stand up to Trump 'bullying' over nuclear deal: security official

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday reacted to the ban on popular messaging application Telegram.

On Monday, Iran's internet service providers were asked by the judiciary to block access to the app.&nbsp;

The application was seen as a tool in instigating nationwide protests that sparked off in December and January. The application was temporarily blocked to curb the protests and demonstrations.&nbsp;

In an Instagram post shared on Friday night, Rouhani stated that the Iranian government did not block any social networking websites or messaging app and it won't any as well.&nbsp;

The application was seen as a tool in instigating nationwide protests that sparked off in December and January

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday reacted to the ban on popular messaging application Telegram. On Monday, Iran's internet service providers were asked by the judiciary to block access to the app. The application was seen as a tool in instigating nationwide protests that sparked off in December and January. The application was temporarily blocked to curb the protests and demonstrations. In an Instagram post shared on Friday night, Rouhani stated that the Iranian government did not block any social networking websites or messaging app and it won't any as well.

Iran: President Rouhani criticizes blocking of Telegram app

Oil prices held steady on Friday after shedding earlier gains, as market jitters kicked in over the prospect of geopolitical risks from possible new US&nbspsanctions against Iran.

US&nbspWest Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were trading 1 cent lower at $68.42 per barrel by 0258 GMT.

Brent crude oil futures were at $73.59 per barrel, down 3 cents, or 0.04 percent, from their last close after touching a intraday high of $73.80 per barrel in early morning trading.

Technical analysis from Reuters' Wang Tao showed the market may retest a price support level at $72.39 per barrel after peaking around a resistance at $75.45.

Friday morning's fluctuations came as investors sifted through the upcoming Iran sanction decision and an increasing US&nbspcrude inventory build for clues.

Iran's foreign minister said on Thursday US&nbspdemands to change its 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers were unacceptable, as a deadline set by President Donald Trump for Europeans to "fix" the deal loomed.

"Current prices reflect a premium for Iran uncertainties. Investors are worried about supplies after Iran took a tough stance in its response to the United States," Wang Xiao, Head of Crude Research with Guotai Junan Futures said, adding prices may fall if expectations for new sanctions ease.

European powers still want to hand Trump a plan to save the Iran nuclear deal next week. But they have also started work on protecting EU-Iranian business ties if the US&nbsppresident makes good on a threat to withdraw, six sources told Reuters.

Markets will remain skittish as the May 12 deadline to rectify the deal approaches, ANZ Research said in note.

Iran resumed its role as a major oil exporter in January 2016 when international sanctions against Tehran were lifted in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program.

Aside from security concerns, growing US&nbspcrude supplies are capping price gains.

West Texas Intermediate crude for delivery in Midland slid for a fourth day on Thursday to hit its lowest in more than three-and-a-half years. WTI at Midland WTC-WTM traded as much as $14 a barrel below benchmark futures.

Surging production in the Permian basin has continued to outpace pipeline capacity, while local refining issues have exacerbated oversupply in the region, dealers told Reuters.

Multi-year low spot market prices followed US&nbspgovernment data that showed a 6.2-million-barrel jump in crude inventories last week.

The United States now produces more crude oil than top exporter Saudi Arabia.

Friday morning's fluctuations came as investors sifted through the upcoming Iran sanction decision and an increasing US crude inventory build for clues

Oil prices held steady on Friday after shedding earlier gains, as market jitters kicked in over the prospect of geopolitical risks from possible new US&nbspsanctions against Iran. US&nbspWest Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were trading 1 cent lower at $68.42 per barrel by 0258 GMT. Brent crude oil futures were at $73.59 per barrel, down 3 cents, or 0.04 percent, from their last close after touching a intraday high of $73.80 per barrel in early morning trading. Technical analysis from Reuters' Wang Tao showed the market may retest a price support level at $72.39 per barrel after peaking around a resistance at $75.45. Friday morning's fluctuations came as investors sifted through the upcoming Iran sanction decision and an increasing US&nbspcrude inventory build for clues. Iran's foreign minister said on Thursday US&nbspdemands to change its 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers were unacceptable, as a deadline set by President Donald Trump for Europeans to "fix" the deal loomed. "Current prices reflect a premium for Iran uncertainties. Investors are worried about supplies after Iran took a tough stance in its response to the United States," Wang Xiao, Head of Crude Research with Guotai Junan Futures said, adding prices may fall if expectations for new sanctions ease. European powers still want to hand Trump a plan to save the Iran nuclear deal next week. But they have also started work on protecting EU-Iranian business ties if the US&nbsppresident makes good on a threat to withdraw, six sources told Reuters. Markets will remain skittish as the May 12 deadline to rectify the deal approaches, ANZ Research said in note. Iran resumed its role as a major oil exporter in January 2016 when international sanctions against Tehran were lifted in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program. Aside from security concerns, growing US&nbspcrude supplies are capping price gains. West Texas Intermediate crude for delivery in Midland slid for a fourth day on Thursday to hit its lowest in more than three-and-a-half years. WTI at Midland WTC-WTM traded as much as $14 a barrel below benchmark futures. Surging production in the Permian basin has continued to outpace pipeline capacity, while local refining issues have exacerbated oversupply in the region, dealers told Reuters. Multi-year low spot market prices followed US&nbspgovernment data that showed a 6.2-million-barrel jump in crude inventories last week. The United States now produces more crude oil than top exporter Saudi Arabia.

Oil prices hold steady as US decision on Iran sanctions looms 

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday praised his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as officials from the world's two largest economies began trade talks in Beijing, while state media said China would stand up to US bullying.

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President Donald Trump is expected to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear agreement on May 12. Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain, and the United States in 2015.

Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. But the withdrawal of the United States will probably sink the deal. If that happens, Iran could retaliate by undermining the interests of Washington and its allies in the Middle East.

Here are some possible scenarios:

Iraq

When Islamic State seized much of Iraq in 2014, Iran was quick to support Baghdad. Iran has since helped arm and train thousands of Shi'ite fighters in Iraq. These Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are also a significant political force.

If the deal falls through, Iran could encourage PMF factions who want the US&nbsp;to leave Iraq to step up rhetorical, and maybe military, attacks against American forces.

These could be rocket, mortar and roadside bomb attacks not directly linked to a specific Shi'ite militia, which would allow Iran to deny it had changed its position of avoiding direct conflict with US&nbsp;forces in Iraq.

Syria

Iran and paramilitary allies such as Lebanon's Hezbollah have been involved in Syria's war since 2012. Iran has armed and trained thousands of Shi'ite paramilitary fighters to shore up the government. Israel says Iran has recruited at least 80,000 Shi'ite fighters.

Iran's presence in Syria has brought Tehran into direct conflict with Israel for the first time, with a series of high-profile clashes in recent months. Israeli officials say they will never let Tehran or Hezbollah establish a permanent military presence in neighbouring Syria.

If the nuclear deal falls through, Iran will have little incentive to stop its Shi'ite militia allies in Syria from carrying out attacks against Israel.

Iran and the forces it controls in Syria could also cause trouble for about 2,000 US&nbsp;troops deployed in northern and eastern Syria to support Kurdish-led fighters.

A top adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said in April he hoped Syria and its allies would drive US&nbsp;troops out of eastern Syria.

Lebanon

In 2006, Hezbollah fought Israel to a standstill in a 34-day border war. According to Israeli and US&nbsp;officials, Iran is now helping Hezbollah build factories to manufacture precision-guided missiles or refit longer-range missiles with precision guidance systems.

Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked Hezbollah in Syria where the group is leading many of Iran's Shi'ite militia allies. The rhetoric between Israel and Iran has ramped up in recent weeks. Though Hezbollah and Israel say they are not interested in conflict, the tensions could easily spill over into another Lebanon war.

Hezbollah said last year that any war waged by Israel against Syria and Lebanon could draw thousands of fighters from countries including Iran and Iraq, indicating that Shi'ite militias could come to Lebanon to help Hezbollah.

Hezbollah is also a major political force in Lebanon, and may strengthen its position at elections on May 6. For the moment, the group is working with its political opponents, notably Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who is backed by Western governments.

But if the nuclear deal falls through, Iran could pressure Hezbollah to isolate its opponents, a development experts believe could destabilise Lebanon.

"Hezbollah literally controls Lebanese politics," said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political studies at the American University of Beirut. "If they do that, it would be sheer harassment."

Yemen

Iran has never acknowledged direct military involvement in Yemen. But US&nbsp;and Saudi officials say it is supplying rebel Houthi fighters with missiles and other arms. The Houthis have fired missiles at Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities, saying they are retaliating against air raids on Yemen.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in a regional power struggle. Supporters of the Iran nuclear deal say it has prevented the conflict from descending into open warfare. If the deal falls through, Iran could increase support for the Houthis, possibly provoking a military response from Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies such as the United Arab Emirates.

"I'm not ruling out Iranian support to the Houthis," said Khashan

Treaty

Iran also has options directly related to its nuclear programme. Iranian officials have said that one option they are examining is to withdraw completely from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an agreement designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the country is not interested in developing nuclear weapons. But if Iran withdraws from the NPT, it will set off alarm bells globally.

"This would of course be a disastrous course for the Islamic Republic, as it will find itself isolated," said Ali Alfoneh, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Even if Iran does not withdraw from the NPT, it has indicated that it will probably ramp up enrichment of uranium, strictly limited under the deal to help allay fears it could be used to produce atomic bomb material. Under the current deal, Iran's enrichment levels must remain around 3.6 percent. Iran stopped producing 20 percent enriched uranium and gave up the majority of its stockpile as part of the 2015 agreement.

Uranium refined to 20 percent fissile purity is beyond the 5 percent normally required to fuel civilian nuclear power plants, although short of highly enriched, or 80 to 90 percent, purity needed for a nuclear bomb.

This week, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Iran was able to enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before the deal.

Iran's actions may be influenced by the extent to which the other signatories to the deal respond to U.S. withdrawal, according to analysts.

That will depend on: the extent to which France, Germany and Britain insist that their companies can continue to do business with Iran under what is an international agreement ratified unanimously by the UN Security Council the level of diplomatic support for Iran from Russia, its partner in Syria and how much China wishes to bind Iran into its Belt and Road foreign trade and investment initiative.

There will be a test of wills if the Trump administration restores sanctions and threatens violators with being shut out of the US&nbsp;banking system. Of the other signatories only China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, is able to brush this off.

If US pulls out, Iran could retaliate by undermining the interests of Washington and its allies in the Middle East

President Donald Trump is expected to pull the United States out of the Iran nuclear agreement on May 12. Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain, and the United States in 2015. Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. But the withdrawal of the United States will probably sink the deal. If that happens, Iran could retaliate by undermining the interests of Washington and its allies in the Middle East. Here are some possible scenarios: Iraq When Islamic State seized much of Iraq in 2014, Iran was quick to support Baghdad. Iran has since helped arm and train thousands of Shi'ite fighters in Iraq. These Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are also a significant political force. If the deal falls through, Iran could encourage PMF factions who want the US to leave Iraq to step up rhetorical, and maybe military, attacks against American forces. These could be rocket, mortar and roadside bomb attacks not directly linked to a specific Shi'ite militia, which would allow Iran to deny it had changed its position of avoiding direct conflict with US forces in Iraq. Syria Iran and paramilitary allies such as Lebanon's Hezbollah have been involved in Syria's war since 2012. Iran has armed and trained thousands of Shi'ite paramilitary fighters to shore up the government. Israel says Iran has recruited at least 80,000 Shi'ite fighters. Iran's presence in Syria has brought Tehran into direct conflict with Israel for the first time, with a series of high-profile clashes in recent months. Israeli officials say they will never let Tehran or Hezbollah establish a permanent military presence in neighbouring Syria. If the nuclear deal falls through, Iran will have little incentive to stop its Shi'ite militia allies in Syria from carrying out attacks against Israel. Iran and the forces it controls in Syria could also cause trouble for about 2,000 US troops deployed in northern and eastern Syria to support Kurdish-led fighters. A top adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said in April he hoped Syria and its allies would drive US troops out of eastern Syria. Lebanon In 2006, Hezbollah fought Israel to a standstill in a 34-day border war. According to Israeli and US officials, Iran is now helping Hezbollah build factories to manufacture precision-guided missiles or refit longer-range missiles with precision guidance systems. Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked Hezbollah in Syria where the group is leading many of Iran's Shi'ite militia allies. The rhetoric between Israel and Iran has ramped up in recent weeks. Though Hezbollah and Israel say they are not interested in conflict, the tensions could easily spill over into another Lebanon war. Hezbollah said last year that any war waged by Israel against Syria and Lebanon could draw thousands of fighters from countries including Iran and Iraq, indicating that Shi'ite militias could come to Lebanon to help Hezbollah. Hezbollah is also a major political force in Lebanon, and may strengthen its position at elections on May 6. For the moment, the group is working with its political opponents, notably Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who is backed by Western governments. But if the nuclear deal falls through, Iran could pressure Hezbollah to isolate its opponents, a development experts believe could destabilise Lebanon. "Hezbollah literally controls Lebanese politics," said Hilal Khashan, a professor of political studies at the American University of Beirut. "If they do that, it would be sheer harassment." Yemen Iran has never acknowledged direct military involvement in Yemen. But US and Saudi officials say it is supplying rebel Houthi fighters with missiles and other arms. The Houthis have fired missiles at Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities, saying they are retaliating against air raids on Yemen. Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in a regional power struggle. Supporters of the Iran nuclear deal say it has prevented the conflict from descending into open warfare. If the deal falls through, Iran could increase support for the Houthis, possibly provoking a military response from Saudi Arabia and Gulf allies such as the United Arab Emirates. "I'm not ruling out Iranian support to the Houthis," said Khashan Treaty Iran also has options directly related to its nuclear programme. Iranian officials have said that one option they are examining is to withdraw completely from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an agreement designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the country is not interested in developing nuclear weapons. But if Iran withdraws from the NPT, it will set off alarm bells globally. "This would of course be a disastrous course for the Islamic Republic, as it will find itself isolated," said Ali Alfoneh, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Even if Iran does not withdraw from the NPT, it has indicated that it will probably ramp up enrichment of uranium, strictly limited under the deal to help allay fears it could be used to produce atomic bomb material. Under the current deal, Iran's enrichment levels must remain around 3.6 percent. Iran stopped producing 20 percent enriched uranium and gave up the majority of its stockpile as part of the 2015 agreement. Uranium refined to 20 percent fissile purity is beyond the 5 percent normally required to fuel civilian nuclear power plants, although short of highly enriched, or 80 to 90 percent, purity needed for a nuclear bomb. This week, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, said Iran was able to enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before the deal. Iran's actions may be influenced by the extent to which the other signatories to the deal respond to U.S. withdrawal, according to analysts. That will depend on: the extent to which France, Germany and Britain insist that their companies can continue to do business with Iran under what is an international agreement ratified unanimously by the UN Security Council the level of diplomatic support for Iran from Russia, its partner in Syria and how much China wishes to bind Iran into its Belt and Road foreign trade and investment initiative. There will be a test of wills if the Trump administration restores sanctions and threatens violators with being shut out of the US banking system. Of the other signatories only China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, is able to brush this off.

Iran's foreign minister said on Thursday US&nbspdemands to change its 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers were unacceptable as a deadline set by President Donald Trump for Europeans to "fix" the deal loomed.

Trump has warned that unless European allies rectify the "terrible flaws" in the international accord by May 12, he will refuse to extend US&nbspsanctions relief for the oil-producing Islamic Republic.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-has-all-but-decided-to-withdraw-from-iran-nuclear-deal-sources-134344">Trump has all but decided to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal, say sources</a>

"Iran will not renegotiate what was agreed years ago and has been implemented," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a video message posted on YouTube.

Britain, France and Germany remain committed to the accord as is, but now, in efforts to keep Washington in it, want to open talks on Iran's ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 - when key provisions of the deal expire - and its role in Middle East crises such as Syria and Yemen.

A senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also warned Europeans on Thursday over "revising" the nuclear deal, under which Iran strictly limited its enrichment of uranium to help allay fears this could be put to producing atomic bomb material, and won major sanctions relief in return.

"Even if US&nbspallies, especially the Europeans, try to revise the deal..., one of our options will be withdrawing from it," state television quoted Ali Akbar Velayati as saying.

The European signatories to the deal have been trying to persuade Trump to save the pact, reached under his predecessor Barack Obama. They argue it is crucial to forestalling a destabilising Middle East arms race and that Iran has been abiding by its terms, a position also taken by US&nbspintelligence assessments and the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency.

Zarif said: "Let me make it absolutely clear and once and for all: we will neither outsource our security nor will we renegotiate or add onto a deal we have already implemented in good faith."

Referring to Trump's past as a property magnate, Zarif added, "To put it in real estate terms, when you buy a house and move your family in, or demolish it to build a skyscraper, you cannot come back two years later and renegotiate the price."

Defying Western demands, Iran has repeatedly said it has no intention of reducing its imprint in Middle East affairs and its missile capabilities, which it has said are defensive in nature and have nothing to with nuclear activity covered by the deal.

"It now appears that ... some Europeans have been offering more concessions from our pocket," Zarif said. "This appeasement (of Trump) entails a new deal that would include matters we all decided to exclude at the outset of our negotiations."

Zarif, speaking in English in the YouTube video, said the United States had "consistently violated the nuclear deal, particularly by bullying others to prevent businesses from returning to Iran".

Major European banks and businesses continue to shun the Islamic Republic for fear of falling foul of remaining U.S. sanctions, hampering Iran's efforts to rebuild foreign trade and lure much-needed foreign investment to its economy.

'Iran will not renegotiate what was agreed years ago and has been implemented,' Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a video message posted on YouTube

Iran's foreign minister said on Thursday US&nbspdemands to change its 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers were unacceptable as a deadline set by President Donald Trump for Europeans to "fix" the deal loomed. Trump has warned that unless European allies rectify the "terrible flaws" in the international accord by May 12, he will refuse to extend US&nbspsanctions relief for the oil-producing Islamic Republic. Also read: Trump has all but decided to withdraw from Iran nuclear deal, say sources "Iran will not renegotiate what was agreed years ago and has been implemented," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a video message posted on YouTube. Britain, France and Germany remain committed to the accord as is, but now, in efforts to keep Washington in it, want to open talks on Iran's ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 - when key provisions of the deal expire - and its role in Middle East crises such as Syria and Yemen. A senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also warned Europeans on Thursday over "revising" the nuclear deal, under which Iran strictly limited its enrichment of uranium to help allay fears this could be put to producing atomic bomb material, and won major sanctions relief in return. "Even if US&nbspallies, especially the Europeans, try to revise the deal..., one of our options will be withdrawing from it," state television quoted Ali Akbar Velayati as saying. The European signatories to the deal have been trying to persuade Trump to save the pact, reached under his predecessor Barack Obama. They argue it is crucial to forestalling a destabilising Middle East arms race and that Iran has been abiding by its terms, a position also taken by US&nbspintelligence assessments and the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency. Zarif said: "Let me make it absolutely clear and once and for all: we will neither outsource our security nor will we renegotiate or add onto a deal we have already implemented in good faith." Referring to Trump's past as a property magnate, Zarif added, "To put it in real estate terms, when you buy a house and move your family in, or demolish it to build a skyscraper, you cannot come back two years later and renegotiate the price." Defying Western demands, Iran has repeatedly said it has no intention of reducing its imprint in Middle East affairs and its missile capabilities, which it has said are defensive in nature and have nothing to with nuclear activity covered by the deal. "It now appears that ... some Europeans have been offering more concessions from our pocket," Zarif said. "This appeasement (of Trump) entails a new deal that would include matters we all decided to exclude at the outset of our negotiations." Zarif, speaking in English in the YouTube video, said the United States had "consistently violated the nuclear deal, particularly by bullying others to prevent businesses from returning to Iran". Major European banks and businesses continue to shun the Islamic Republic for fear of falling foul of remaining U.S. sanctions, hampering Iran's efforts to rebuild foreign trade and lure much-needed foreign investment to its economy.

Iran says will not renegotiate nuclear deal, warns against changes

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Tuesday that it had "no credible indications" of an Iranian nuclear weapons programme.&nbsp;

The IAEA added that "its consideration of this issue was closed". &nbsp;&nbsp;

The statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered "new proof" of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme, and as US President Donald Trump mulls over the prospect of pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal signed between six Western powers and Iran.&nbsp;

Iran has since called Netanyahu an "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-netanyahu-an-infamous-liar-comments-aimed-to-influence-trump---134057">infamous liar</a>", saying Netanyahu's proof is nothing more than old news.&nbsp;

Iran added that Netanyahu's only aim is to influence Trump.&nbsp;

Iran says, and has always said, that it is not trying to build nuclear weapons. In 2015, it agreed to curb its nuclear energy programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump however has for the longest time threatened to pull out of the Obama-era deal, saying it is "the worst deal ever".&nbsp;

Trump has repeatedly accused Iran of flouting the agreement.&nbsp;

He has also said that the deal's "sunset clauses" — which would see restrictions on Iran's nuclear enrichment program lifted after 2025 — are unacceptable. And he has accused Iran of not halting its ballistic missile program. 
&nbsp;

The UN's nuclear watchdog added that 'its consideration of this issue was closed'. The statement from the IAEA came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered 'new proof' of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Tuesday that it had "no credible indications" of an Iranian nuclear weapons programme. The IAEA added that "its consideration of this issue was closed". The statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered "new proof" of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme, and as US President Donald Trump mulls over the prospect of pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal signed between six Western powers and Iran. Iran has since called Netanyahu an "infamous liar", saying Netanyahu's proof is nothing more than old news. Iran added that Netanyahu's only aim is to influence Trump. Iran says, and has always said, that it is not trying to build nuclear weapons. In 2015, it agreed to curb its nuclear energy programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. US President Donald Trump however has for the longest time threatened to pull out of the Obama-era deal, saying it is "the worst deal ever". Trump has repeatedly accused Iran of flouting the agreement. He has also said that the deal's "sunset clauses" — which would see restrictions on Iran's nuclear enrichment program lifted after 2025 — are unacceptable. And he has accused Iran of not halting its ballistic missile program.

'No credible indications' of Iranian nuclear weapons programme: IAEA

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled on Monday what he said was evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program that could step up pressure on the United States to pull out of a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the information showed that Iran's leaders lied to their people about a nuclear weapons program known as "Project Amad". But Pompeo declined to say whether the documents provided evidence of a violation of the nuclear deal.

Intelligence experts and diplomats said Netanyahu's presentation, in a prime-time television presentation, did not seem to have a "smoking gun" showing a violation by Iran but it could strengthen the hand of advisers to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump who want to scrap the nuclear agreement.

Most of the purported evidence Netanyahu presented dated to the period before the 2015 accord was signed, although he said Iran had also kept important files on nuclear technology since then, and continued adding to its "nuclear weapons knowledge".

Tehran dismissed Netanyahu as "the boy who cried wolf", and called his presentation propaganda.

As he traveled back from Amman, Jordan, to Washington on Monday, Pompeo told reporters he and Netanyahu discussed the documents in Tel Aviv during a meeting on Sunday.

Pompeo said that while the existence of the Amad nuclear project was known for some time, the new material discovered by the Israelis will help better understand the scope and scale of the program.

He added that the documents make "very clear that at the very least the Iranians have continued to lie to their own people.”

Asked whether the information indicated a violation of the Iran nuclear agreement, Pompeo responded: “I‘ll leave that to lawyers. The president will ultimately have to make a determination about that too.”

Trump has threatened to pull the United States out of the international deal unless it is renegotiated by May 12. After Netanyahu spoke, Trump repeated his criticism of the deal, suggesting he backed the Israeli leader's remarks.

At Israel's Defence Ministry, Netanyahu stood in front of stacks of files representing what he described as a vault full of Iranian nuclear documents obtained weeks before.

"Iran lied about never having a nuclear weapons program," he said. "One hundred thousand secret files prove it did. Second, even after the deal, Iran continued to preserve and expand its nuclear weapons knowledge for future use."

Although the presentation was live on Israeli television, Netanyahu made clear his audience was abroad, delivering most of his speech in English, before switching to Hebrew.

Netanyahu said he had shared the intelligence with the United States and would dispatch envoys to France and Germany to present it. He also spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The White House later acknowledged receiving the information from Israel, saying it was examining it carefully.

"This information provides new and compelling details about Iran’s efforts to develop missile-deliverable nuclear weapons. These facts are consistent with what the United States has long known: Iran had a robust, clandestine nuclear weapons program that it has tried and failed to hide from the world and from its own people," the White House said in a statement.

An earlier statement by the White House stated that Iran "has" a clandestine nuclear weapons program before it corrected it to due to what it said was a clerical error.

A 2007 National Intelligence Estimate judged with "high confidence" that Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003. The IAEA later reached a similar judgment.

Iran has denied ever seeking nuclear weapons and accuses its arch-foe Israel of stirring up world suspicions against it.

A White House official said the information provided compelling details about "Iran's past efforts" to develop nuclear weapons.

Analysts, diplomats skeptical&nbsp;

Under the 2015 nuclear deal struck by Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US&nbsp;and other economic sanctions.

Trump gave Britain, France and Germany a May 12 deadline to fix what he views as the deal's flaws - its failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program, the terms by which inspectors visit suspect Iranian sites, and "sunset" clauses under which some of its terms expire - or he will reimpose US&nbsp;sanctions.

Much of what Netanyahu presented is unlikely to surprise world powers, which have long concluded that Iran was pursuing atomic weapons before the agreement was signed in 2015. That is in part why they imposed sanctions in the first place.

The French ambassador to Washington, Gerard Araud, tweeted that information about past Iranian nuclear activity was in fact an argument in favor of the nuclear deal, not against it.

A German government spokesman said it was vital to keep the independent inspections provided for under the deal.

Some independent analysts and diplomats said Netanyahu appeared to be presenting old evidence.

A British government spokesman defended the accord, saying in a statement: "We have never been naive about Iran and its nuclear intentions."

"That is why the IAEA inspection regime agreed as part of the Iran nuclear deal is one of the most extensive and robust in the history of international nuclear accords," the spokesman added.

Speaking after Netanyahu's presentation, Trump told a White House news conference the nuclear deal was "a horrible agreement for the United States". He said it would let Tehran develop nuclear arms after seven years and had "proven right what Israel has done today" with Netanyahu's disclosures.

Washington itself has concluded, however, that Iran has not violated the deal's terms. Two US&nbsp;intelligence officials who have monitored Iran’s nuclear weapons program for years said nothing in Netanyahu’s remarks appeared to contradict that view.

"We have seen no new and credible evidence that Iran is violating the agreement, whether in the Prime Minister’s remarks today or from other sources," said one of the officials, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Moments before Netanyahu spoke Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted: "The boy who can't stop crying wolf is at it again".

Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, although it neither confirms nor denies possessing atomic weapons.

'Iran lied about never having a nuclear weapons programme, one hundred thousand secret files prove it did,' Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled on Monday what he said was evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program that could step up pressure on the United States to pull out of a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the information showed that Iran's leaders lied to their people about a nuclear weapons program known as "Project Amad". But Pompeo declined to say whether the documents provided evidence of a violation of the nuclear deal. Intelligence experts and diplomats said Netanyahu's presentation, in a prime-time television presentation, did not seem to have a "smoking gun" showing a violation by Iran but it could strengthen the hand of advisers to US President Donald Trump who want to scrap the nuclear agreement. Most of the purported evidence Netanyahu presented dated to the period before the 2015 accord was signed, although he said Iran had also kept important files on nuclear technology since then, and continued adding to its "nuclear weapons knowledge". Tehran dismissed Netanyahu as "the boy who cried wolf", and called his presentation propaganda. As he traveled back from Amman, Jordan, to Washington on Monday, Pompeo told reporters he and Netanyahu discussed the documents in Tel Aviv during a meeting on Sunday. Pompeo said that while the existence of the Amad nuclear project was known for some time, the new material discovered by the Israelis will help better understand the scope and scale of the program. He added that the documents make "very clear that at the very least the Iranians have continued to lie to their own people.” Asked whether the information indicated a violation of the Iran nuclear agreement, Pompeo responded: “I‘ll leave that to lawyers. The president will ultimately have to make a determination about that too.” Trump has threatened to pull the United States out of the international deal unless it is renegotiated by May 12. After Netanyahu spoke, Trump repeated his criticism of the deal, suggesting he backed the Israeli leader's remarks. At Israel's Defence Ministry, Netanyahu stood in front of stacks of files representing what he described as a vault full of Iranian nuclear documents obtained weeks before. "Iran lied about never having a nuclear weapons program," he said. "One hundred thousand secret files prove it did. Second, even after the deal, Iran continued to preserve and expand its nuclear weapons knowledge for future use." Although the presentation was live on Israeli television, Netanyahu made clear his audience was abroad, delivering most of his speech in English, before switching to Hebrew. Netanyahu said he had shared the intelligence with the United States and would dispatch envoys to France and Germany to present it. He also spoke by phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House later acknowledged receiving the information from Israel, saying it was examining it carefully. "This information provides new and compelling details about Iran’s efforts to develop missile-deliverable nuclear weapons. These facts are consistent with what the United States has long known: Iran had a robust, clandestine nuclear weapons program that it has tried and failed to hide from the world and from its own people," the White House said in a statement. An earlier statement by the White House stated that Iran "has" a clandestine nuclear weapons program before it corrected it to due to what it said was a clerical error. A 2007 National Intelligence Estimate judged with "high confidence" that Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003. The IAEA later reached a similar judgment. Iran has denied ever seeking nuclear weapons and accuses its arch-foe Israel of stirring up world suspicions against it. A White House official said the information provided compelling details about "Iran's past efforts" to develop nuclear weapons. Analysts, diplomats skeptical Under the 2015 nuclear deal struck by Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions. Trump gave Britain, France and Germany a May 12 deadline to fix what he views as the deal's flaws - its failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program, the terms by which inspectors visit suspect Iranian sites, and "sunset" clauses under which some of its terms expire - or he will reimpose US sanctions. Much of what Netanyahu presented is unlikely to surprise world powers, which have long concluded that Iran was pursuing atomic weapons before the agreement was signed in 2015. That is in part why they imposed sanctions in the first place. The French ambassador to Washington, Gerard Araud, tweeted that information about past Iranian nuclear activity was in fact an argument in favor of the nuclear deal, not against it. A German government spokesman said it was vital to keep the independent inspections provided for under the deal. Some independent analysts and diplomats said Netanyahu appeared to be presenting old evidence. A British government spokesman defended the accord, saying in a statement: "We have never been naive about Iran and its nuclear intentions." "That is why the IAEA inspection regime agreed as part of the Iran nuclear deal is one of the most extensive and robust in the history of international nuclear accords," the spokesman added. Speaking after Netanyahu's presentation, Trump told a White House news conference the nuclear deal was "a horrible agreement for the United States". He said it would let Tehran develop nuclear arms after seven years and had "proven right what Israel has done today" with Netanyahu's disclosures. Washington itself has concluded, however, that Iran has not violated the deal's terms. Two US intelligence officials who have monitored Iran’s nuclear weapons program for years said nothing in Netanyahu’s remarks appeared to contradict that view. "We have seen no new and credible evidence that Iran is violating the agreement, whether in the Prime Minister’s remarks today or from other sources," said one of the officials, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. Moments before Netanyahu spoke Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted: "The boy who can't stop crying wolf is at it again". Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, although it neither confirms nor denies possessing atomic weapons.

Netanyahu says Iran lied on nuclear arms, pressures US to scrap deal

Iran on Tuesday called Israel Prime Minister an "infamous liar" after his comments over Iran having secret nuclear weapons program that could increase pressure on the United States to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal.&nbsp;

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Benjamin Netanyahu's speech was a "repetition" of past accusations, which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has already disproven.

Reports say that Netanyahu's comments were made in a bid to influence Trump's upcoming decision about the nuclear deal, but Tehran is ready for any scenario by Trump.&nbsp;

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Bahram Ghasemi, also criticises Netanyahu's "propaganda", adding that he did not have anything to offer except lies.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Netanyahu informed US&nbsp;President Donald Trump about evidence of a past secret Iranian nuclear arms programme in March, a senior Israeli official said, a move apparently aimed at killing an international deal with Tehran that both leaders oppose.

Trump agreed Israel would publish the information before May 12, the date by which he is due to decide whether the United States should quit the nuclear deal with Iran, an arch foe of both countries, the Israeli official said.

Netanyahu, on Monday, said that he has evidence that the Iran officials have been lying about the secret nuclear weapons program and that they have an "automative archive" at an unknown compound.&nbsp;

Intelligence experts and diplomats said Netanyahu's presentation, in a prime-time television presentation, did not seem to have a "smoking gun" showing a violation by Iran but it could strengthen the hand of advisers to US President Donald Trump who want to scrap the nuclear agreement.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the information showed that Iran's leaders lied to their people about a nuclear weapons program known as "Project Amad". But Pompeo declined to say whether the documents provided evidence of a violation of the nuclear deal.

Most of the purported evidence Netanyahu presented dated to the period before the 2015 accord was signed, although he said Iran had also kept important files on nuclear technology since then, and continued adding to its "nuclear weapons knowledge".

Pompeo said that while the existence of the Amad nuclear project was known for some time, the new material discovered by the Israelis will help better understand the scope and scale of the program.

He added that the documents make "very clear that at the very least the Iranians have continued to lie to their own people." Asked whether the information indicated a violation of the Iran nuclear agreement, Pompeo responded: "I'll leave that to lawyers. The president will ultimately have to make a determination about that too."

&nbsp;

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Benjamin Netanyahu's speech was a 'repetition' of past accusations, which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has already disproven

Iran on Tuesday called Israel Prime Minister an "infamous liar" after his comments over Iran having secret nuclear weapons program that could increase pressure on the United States to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Benjamin Netanyahu's speech was a "repetition" of past accusations, which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has already disproven. Reports say that Netanyahu's comments were made in a bid to influence Trump's upcoming decision about the nuclear deal, but Tehran is ready for any scenario by Trump. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Bahram Ghasemi, also criticises Netanyahu's "propaganda", adding that he did not have anything to offer except lies. Meanwhile, Netanyahu informed US President Donald Trump about evidence of a past secret Iranian nuclear arms programme in March, a senior Israeli official said, a move apparently aimed at killing an international deal with Tehran that both leaders oppose. Trump agreed Israel would publish the information before May 12, the date by which he is due to decide whether the United States should quit the nuclear deal with Iran, an arch foe of both countries, the Israeli official said. Netanyahu, on Monday, said that he has evidence that the Iran officials have been lying about the secret nuclear weapons program and that they have an "automative archive" at an unknown compound. Intelligence experts and diplomats said Netanyahu's presentation, in a prime-time television presentation, did not seem to have a "smoking gun" showing a violation by Iran but it could strengthen the hand of advisers to US President Donald Trump who want to scrap the nuclear agreement. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the information showed that Iran's leaders lied to their people about a nuclear weapons program known as "Project Amad". But Pompeo declined to say whether the documents provided evidence of a violation of the nuclear deal. Most of the purported evidence Netanyahu presented dated to the period before the 2015 accord was signed, although he said Iran had also kept important files on nuclear technology since then, and continued adding to its "nuclear weapons knowledge". Pompeo said that while the existence of the Amad nuclear project was known for some time, the new material discovered by the Israelis will help better understand the scope and scale of the program. He added that the documents make "very clear that at the very least the Iranians have continued to lie to their own people." Asked whether the information indicated a violation of the Iran nuclear agreement, Pompeo responded: "I'll leave that to lawyers. The president will ultimately have to make a determination about that too."

Iran: Netanyahu an 'infamous liar,' comments aimed at influencing Trump

Amid speculation US president<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/macron-rouhani-decide-to-work-on-iran-nuclear-deal-despite-threats-by-trump--133752"> will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal</a>, Trump said doing so will send the right message ahead of talks with North Korea.

"I think it sends the right message," Trump told reporters on whether it would send a wrong message to Kim's regime as the two nations get ready for summit talks.

"You know in seven years, that deal will have expired and Iran is free to go ahead and create nuclear weapons," Trump said expressing dissatisfaction with the nuclear deal, adding,"That is just not an acceptable situation. They're not sitting back idly. They're setting off missiles, which they say are for television purposes."

Last week while meeting French president Macron at the White House the two leaders had spoken about the impending May 12th deadline in which the stakeholders - US, UK, Russia, France, China, Germany and the European Union will have to decide&nbspon the future course of action.&nbsp

Under the accord, Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions.

Trump has been against the deal since the beginning of this presidency, which was brokered by the Obama administration with the Islamic state in 2015.&nbsp

Macron had said he would be interested in negotiating a "new deal" with Iran in the presence of Trump.

Trump has kept everyone guessing on the outcome retreating yesterday "we'll see what happens."&nbspTrump has often termed the deal "terrible" and said it needs to be "fixed"

However, speaking to reporters the US president said: "That doesn't mean we won't negotiate a real agreement."

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JHBpT2k0Jyw" width="560"></iframe>

Under the accord, Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions.

Amid speculation US president will pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, Trump said doing so will send the right message ahead of talks with North Korea. "I think it sends the right message," Trump told reporters on whether it would send a wrong message to Kim's regime as the two nations get ready for summit talks. "You know in seven years, that deal will have expired and Iran is free to go ahead and create nuclear weapons," Trump said expressing dissatisfaction with the nuclear deal, adding,"That is just not an acceptable situation. They're not sitting back idly. They're setting off missiles, which they say are for television purposes." Last week while meeting French president Macron at the White House the two leaders had spoken about the impending May 12th deadline in which the stakeholders - US, UK, Russia, France, China, Germany and the European Union will have to decide&nbspon the future course of action. Under the accord, Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions. Trump has been against the deal since the beginning of this presidency, which was brokered by the Obama administration with the Islamic state in 2015. Macron had said he would be interested in negotiating a "new deal" with Iran in the presence of Trump. Trump has kept everyone guessing on the outcome retreating yesterday "we'll see what happens."&nbspTrump has often termed the deal "terrible" and said it needs to be "fixed" However, speaking to reporters the US president said: "That doesn't mean we won't negotiate a real agreement."

Nuclear accord: Trump hints at 'real agreement' with Iran

Iran's judiciary has banned the popular Telegram instant messaging app to protect national security, Iran's state TV reported on Monday.

"Considering various complaints against Telegram social networking app by Iranian citizens, and based on the demand of security organisations for confronting the illegal activities of Telegram, the judiciary has banned its usage in Iran," TV reported.

The order was issued days after Iran banned government bodies from using Telegram, which is widely used by Iranian state media, politicians, companies and ordinary Iranians.

A widespread government Internet filter prevents Iranians from accessing many sites on the official grounds that they are offensive or criminal.

But many Iranians evade the filter through use of VPN software, which provides encrypted links directly to private networks based abroad, and can allow a computer to behave as if it is based in another country.

"The blocking of Telegram app should be in a way to prevent users from accessing it with VPN or any other software," Fars said. The app had over 40 million users in Iran.

The order was issued days after Iran banned government bodies from using Telegram, which is widely used by Iranian state media, politicians, companies and ordinary Iranians

Iran's judiciary has banned the popular Telegram instant messaging app to protect national security, Iran's state TV reported on Monday. "Considering various complaints against Telegram social networking app by Iranian citizens, and based on the demand of security organisations for confronting the illegal activities of Telegram, the judiciary has banned its usage in Iran," TV reported. The order was issued days after Iran banned government bodies from using Telegram, which is widely used by Iranian state media, politicians, companies and ordinary Iranians. A widespread government Internet filter prevents Iranians from accessing many sites on the official grounds that they are offensive or criminal. But many Iranians evade the filter through use of VPN software, which provides encrypted links directly to private networks based abroad, and can allow a computer to behave as if it is based in another country. "The blocking of Telegram app should be in a way to prevent users from accessing it with VPN or any other software," Fars said. The app had over 40 million users in Iran.

Iran's judiciary bans use of Telegram app: State TV

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani will work on saving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal over the coming weeks despite threats from US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The two leaders had an hour-long phone call where Macron conveyed his hopes for including Tehran's missile programmes, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 and the regional crisis in the Middle East.

As per reports, the Iran government had claimed that the US had breached the agreement by criticizing it ahead of President Donald Trump's decision about whether to abandon the deal.

Rouhani had said that Trump's critical comments about the deal had built "fear and ambiguity for different countries and businesses for their relations with Iran" which could ultimately hamper the country's economy.&nbsp;

Macron, followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, came to Washington last week in hopes of persuading President Donald Trump not to reimpose sanctions on Iran before a May 12 deadline and imperil the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Under the accord, Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions. The deal — struck by Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — under Trump's predecessor, former President Barack Obama.

The United States has been trying to drum up support for new sanctions against Iran and has repeatedly threatened to tear up the 2015 agreement.

Trump on January&nbsp;12 gave the three European nations an ultimatum to "fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal" or he would refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. Key U.S. sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh "waivers" to suspend them.

Trump sees three defects in the agreement: a failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites and "sunset" clauses under which key limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire.

At a news conference with Trump on Tuesday, Macron said he wanted "to work on a new deal with Iran" to limit Iran's nuclear program in the short term and long term, restrain its ballistic missile activities and curb what the West sees as its destabilizing behavior in the Middle East.

The two leaders had an hour-long phone call where Macron conveyed his hopes for including Tehran's missile programmes, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 and the regional crisis in the Middle East

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani will work on saving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal over the coming weeks despite threats from US President Donald Trump. The two leaders had an hour-long phone call where Macron conveyed his hopes for including Tehran's missile programmes, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 and the regional crisis in the Middle East. As per reports, the Iran government had claimed that the US had breached the agreement by criticizing it ahead of President Donald Trump's decision about whether to abandon the deal. Rouhani had said that Trump's critical comments about the deal had built "fear and ambiguity for different countries and businesses for their relations with Iran" which could ultimately hamper the country's economy. Macron, followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, came to Washington last week in hopes of persuading President Donald Trump not to reimpose sanctions on Iran before a May 12 deadline and imperil the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Under the accord, Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions. The deal — struck by Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — under Trump's predecessor, former President Barack Obama. The United States has been trying to drum up support for new sanctions against Iran and has repeatedly threatened to tear up the 2015 agreement. Trump on January 12 gave the three European nations an ultimatum to "fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal" or he would refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. Key U.S. sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh "waivers" to suspend them. Trump sees three defects in the agreement: a failure to address Iran's ballistic missile program the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites and "sunset" clauses under which key limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire. At a news conference with Trump on Tuesday, Macron said he wanted "to work on a new deal with Iran" to limit Iran's nuclear program in the short term and long term, restrain its ballistic missile activities and curb what the West sees as its destabilizing behavior in the Middle East.

Macron, Rouhani will work on saving Iran nuclear deal despite threats from Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a televised announcement Monday evening (1700 GMT) in what his office said would be a "significant development" regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran.

The announcement will be made from Israel's military headquarters in Tel Aviv, according to a brief statement from Netanyahu's office.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a statement on a significant development regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran," the statement said, offering no further details.

Netanyahu met on Sunday with new US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the two had spoken about Iran.

Speaking alongside the Israeli leader, Pompeo said in Tel Aviv: “We remain deeply concerned about Iran’s dangerous escalation of threats towards Israel and the region.”

Netanyahu had said: “I think the greatest threat to the world and to our two countries, and to all countries, is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons, and specifically the attempt of Iran to acquire nuclear weapons."

US&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;has threatened to withdraw from the 2015 agreement reached between Iran and global powers, which granted Tehran relief from economic sanctions in return for curbs to its nuclear programme.

Israel has long opposed the agreement. Washington's major European allies have urged theTrump&nbsp;administration not to abandon it and argue that Iran is abiding by its terms.

The announcement will be made from Israel's military headquarters in Tel Aviv, according to a brief statement from Netanyahu's office

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a televised announcement Monday evening (1700 GMT) in what his office said would be a "significant development" regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran. The announcement will be made from Israel's military headquarters in Tel Aviv, according to a brief statement from Netanyahu's office. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a statement on a significant development regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran," the statement said, offering no further details. Netanyahu met on Sunday with new US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the two had spoken about Iran. Speaking alongside the Israeli leader, Pompeo said in Tel Aviv: “We remain deeply concerned about Iran’s dangerous escalation of threats towards Israel and the region.” Netanyahu had said: “I think the greatest threat to the world and to our two countries, and to all countries, is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons, and specifically the attempt of Iran to acquire nuclear weapons." US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from the 2015 agreement reached between Iran and global powers, which granted Tehran relief from economic sanctions in return for curbs to its nuclear programme. Israel has long opposed the agreement. Washington's major European allies have urged theTrump administration not to abandon it and argue that Iran is abiding by its terms.

Israel's Netanyahu to make 'significant' announcement on Iran nuclear agreement

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