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

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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<h5>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</h5>
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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

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/modi-xi-meeting-a-good-thing-always-good-when-world-leaders-get-along-white-house-134483">Modi-Xi meeting a good thing, always good when world leaders get along: White House</a>

The White House said today that PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting last week when they met for an "informal summit" was a "good thing". "I certainly think it's always good when other world leaders are getting along," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-least-106-dead-in-dust-storm-in-uttar-pradesh-rajasthan-134488">At least 106 dead in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-least-106-dead-in-dust-storm-in-uttar-pradesh-rajasthan-134488">dust</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-least-106-dead-in-dust-storm-in-uttar-pradesh-rajasthan-134488"> storm in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan</a>

At least 106 people were killed as a storm barrelled through a swathe of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, leaving a trail of destruction that brought down mud houses, uprooted trees and flattened crops, officials said on Thursday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-could-iran-do-if-trump-pulls-out-of-nuclear-deal-134477">What could Iran do if Trump pulls out of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-could-iran-do-if-trump-pulls-out-of-nuclear-deal-134477">nuclear</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-could-iran-do-if-trump-pulls-out-of-nuclear-deal-134477"> deal?</a>

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.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/europa-league-wenger-denied-final-flourish-as-atletico-madrids-costa-outlasts-arsenal-134491">Europa League: Wenger denied final flourish as Atletico Madrid's Costa outlasts Arsenal</a>

Diego Costa denied Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger a winning farewell as Atletico Madrid beat the London club 1-0 in the Europa League semi-final second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid on Thursday night.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-praises-chinas-xi-as-trade-talks-begin-in-beijing-134482">Trump praises China's Xi as trade talks begin in Beijing</a>

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.

Modi-Xi meeting a good thing, always good when world leaders get along: White House The White House said today that PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting last week when they met for an "informal summit" was a "good thing". "I certainly think it's always good when other world leaders are getting along," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. At least 106 dead in dust storm in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan At least 106 people were killed as a storm barrelled through a swathe of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, leaving a trail of destruction that brought down mud houses, uprooted trees and flattened crops, officials said on Thursday. What could Iran do if Trump pulls out of nuclear deal? 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. Europa League: Wenger denied final flourish as Atletico Madrid's Costa outlasts Arsenal Diego Costa denied Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger a winning farewell as Atletico Madrid beat the London club 1-0 in the Europa League semi-final second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid on Thursday night. Trump praises China's Xi as trade talks begin in Beijing 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.

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&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.

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

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

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

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

Iran has the technical capability to enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before a multinational nuclear deal was reached to curb its nuclear programme, state TV quoted the head of Iran's Atomic Energy organisation Ali Akbar Salehi as saying.

US&nbspPresident Donald&nbspTrump has given European signatories to the 2105 deal a May 12 deadline to "fix the terrible flaws" in the agreement, or he will refuse to extend US&nbspsanctions relief on Iran.

Salehi warned Trump against taking this course. "Iran is not bluffing ... Technically, we are fully prepared to enrich uranium higher than we used to produce before the deal was reached... I hope Trump comes to his senses and stays in the deal."

Under the deal, which led to the lifting of most international sanctions in 2016, Iran's level of enrichment must remain around 3.6 per cent.

Uranium refined to 20 per cent fissile purity is well beyond the 5 per cent normally required to fuel civilian nuclear power plants, though still well short of highly enriched, or 80-90 per cent, purity needed for a nuclear bomb.

Also,&nbspFrench President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani will work on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/macron-rouhani-decide-to-work-on-iran-nuclear-deal-despite-threats-by-trump--133752">saving the&nbspIran nuclear deal </a>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.

Under the deal, which led to the lifting of most international sanctions in 2016, Iran's level of enrichment must remain around 3.6 per cent

Iran has the technical capability to enrich uranium to a higher level than it could before a multinational nuclear deal was reached to curb its nuclear programme, state TV quoted the head of Iran's Atomic Energy organisation Ali Akbar Salehi as saying. US&nbspPresident Donald&nbspTrump has given European signatories to the 2105 deal a May 12 deadline to "fix the terrible flaws" in the agreement, or he will refuse to extend US&nbspsanctions relief on Iran. Salehi warned Trump against taking this course. "Iran is not bluffing ... Technically, we are fully prepared to enrich uranium higher than we used to produce before the deal was reached... I hope Trump comes to his senses and stays in the deal." Under the deal, which led to the lifting of most international sanctions in 2016, Iran's level of enrichment must remain around 3.6 per cent. Uranium refined to 20 per cent fissile purity is well beyond the 5 per cent normally required to fuel civilian nuclear power plants, though still well short of highly enriched, or 80-90 per cent, purity needed for a nuclear bomb. Also,&nbspFrench President Emmanuel Macron and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani will work on saving the&nbspIran 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.

Iran says it can produce higher enriched uranium if US exits nuclear deal

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-rejects-new-deal-proposal-by-french-president-macron-133060">Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif</a> said on Saturday (April 28) that demands by U.S President Donald Trump to change Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers were unacceptable.

Trump has said that unless European allies fix the "terrible flaws" in the Iran nuclear deal by May 12, he will refuse to extend U. sanctions relief for oil-producing Iran.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-iranian-diplomats-to-discuss-iran-nuclear-deal-this-saturday-133101">Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov</a> and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif will be discussing the Iran nuclear deal on Saturday. The meeting comes in the wake of the US and French threat to scrap the deal.

The meeting comes on the sidelines of an extraordinary trilateral meeting of Russian, Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers on April 28 in Moscow. The trilateral talks will primarily focus on Syria.

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New US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Donald Trump has not taken a decision on whether to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal but was not likely to keep to it without substantial changes.

"There's been no decision, so the team is working and I am sure we will have lots of conversations to deliver what the president has made clear," Pompeo told a news conference after a NATO meeting of foreign ministers.&nbsp

"Absent a substantial fix, absent overcoming the flaws of the deal, he is unlikely to stay in that deal," Pompeo said.

French President Macron <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-will-face-severe-consequences-if-nuclear-deal-not-accepted-iran-president-132538">and President Trump today </a>discussed the Iran nuclear deal at the Oval office in the White House with both leaders keen to hammer out a "new deal".

Trump had earlier termed the Iran nuclear deal brokered by the previous Obama administration as a "terrible deal",&nbsp"insane" and "ridiculous".
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Trump has said that unless European allies fix the 'terrible flaws' in the Iran nuclear deal by May 12, he will refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief for oil-producing Iran.

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday (April 28) that demands by U.S President Donald Trump to change Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers were unacceptable. Trump has said that unless European allies fix the "terrible flaws" in the Iran nuclear deal by May 12, he will refuse to extend U. sanctions relief for oil-producing Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif will be discussing the Iran nuclear deal on Saturday. The meeting comes in the wake of the US and French threat to scrap the deal. The meeting comes on the sidelines of an extraordinary trilateral meeting of Russian, Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers on April 28 in Moscow. The trilateral talks will primarily focus on Syria. New US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Donald Trump has not taken a decision on whether to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal but was not likely to keep to it without substantial changes. "There's been no decision, so the team is working and I am sure we will have lots of conversations to deliver what the president has made clear," Pompeo told a news conference after a NATO meeting of foreign ministers. "Absent a substantial fix, absent overcoming the flaws of the deal, he is unlikely to stay in that deal," Pompeo said. French President Macron and President Trump today discussed the Iran nuclear deal at the Oval office in the White House with both leaders keen to hammer out a "new deal". Trump had earlier termed the Iran nuclear deal brokered by the previous Obama administration as a "terrible deal", "insane" and "ridiculous".

Iran's Zarif says Trump demands on nuclear deal are unacceptable

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump refrained from committing to staying in a 2015 nuclear deal and threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme.

At a joint news conference with Macron, Trump kept up his blistering rhetoric against the nuclear accord between Iran and world powers that the U.S. president says does not address Tehran's rising influence in the Middle East or its ballistic missile programme. He called it insane, terrible and ridiculous.

"This is a deal with decayed foundations," Trump said. "It's a bad deal. It's falling down."

With a May 12 deadline looming for Trump to decide on restoring US&nbsp;economic sanctions on Tehran, Macron said he spoke to Trump about a "new deal" in which the United States and Europe would address the outstanding concerns about Iran beyond its nuclear programme.

Macron is using a three-day state visit to the United States, in a high-stakes bid to salvage the Iran nuclear deal, which many in the West see as the best hope of preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb and heading off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Under Macron's proposal, the United States and Europe would agree to block any Iranian nuclear activity until 2025 and beyond, address Iran's ballistic missile programme and generate conditions for a political solution to contain Iran in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

It was unclear whether Macron made substantial progress in his efforts to prevent Trump from pulling out of the 2015 deal, and Trump stressed there would be repercussions should Iran restart its nuclear programme.

"If Iran threatens us in any way, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid," Trump said.

But Trump said, "We will have a great shot at doing a much bigger, 'maybe deal, maybe not' deal." The French believe progress had been made.

“What was important and new this morning was that President Trump was OK with putting on the table, with France, the idea of a new agreement that should be proposed to and worked on with the Iranians," a French official said.

It was unclear what this would mean for the fate of the 2015 accord and whether the other countries such as China and Russia that signed it would agree to any new measures against Iran.

A source familiar with the internal debate at the White House said one option under discussion was giving Europe more time to toughen the current Iran deal's terms.

Iran has said it will ramp up its nuclear programme if the deal collapses and a senior Iranian official said on Tuesday that Tehran might quit a treaty designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons if Trump scraps the agreement.

BACK SLAPPING

Trump and Macron have developed a remarkably strong relationship at a time when many European leaders have kept a certain distance from Trump.

On Tuesday evening, the Trumps are to host the Macrons at the first state dinner conducted by Trump since he took power in January, 2017. Macron's visit will be followed by one on Friday from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Trump, 71, and Macron, 40, were remarkably chummy, repeatedly shaking hands, slapping each other's backs and extolling each other's friendship.

At one point Trump brushed dandruff from Macron's suit coat, saying: "We have to make him perfect -- he is perfect.”

Macron hopes to leverage their friendship into progress on not only Iran but exempting Europe from steel tariffs, and protecting the 2016 Paris climate accord.

Their talks also covered the U.S. presence in Syria weeks after the United States, France and Britain launched airstrikes in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack blamed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Trump wants to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, believing Islamic State militants are largely defeated, but Macron and other allies argue they should stay to ensure militants do not resurface and to block Iran from strengthening its foothold there.

Macron urged Trump to keep U.S. forces in Syria for the time being.

Trump did not promise to leave the troops in Syria but made clear they would not be withdrawn imminently.

"We want to come home. We'll be coming home. But we want to leave a strong and lasting footprint," Trump said.

The two leaders also discussed European calls for exemptions from Trump's plan for 25 percent tariffs on steel imports. Trump said chronic trade deficits with U.S. allies around the world are "unacceptable."

'If Iran threatens us in any way, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid,' Trump said at joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron who is trying to get Trump to agree to a new deal on Iran's nuclear programme

US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump refrained from committing to staying in a 2015 nuclear deal and threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme. At a joint news conference with Macron, Trump kept up his blistering rhetoric against the nuclear accord between Iran and world powers that the U.S. president says does not address Tehran's rising influence in the Middle East or its ballistic missile programme. He called it insane, terrible and ridiculous. "This is a deal with decayed foundations," Trump said. "It's a bad deal. It's falling down." With a May 12 deadline looming for Trump to decide on restoring US economic sanctions on Tehran, Macron said he spoke to Trump about a "new deal" in which the United States and Europe would address the outstanding concerns about Iran beyond its nuclear programme. Macron is using a three-day state visit to the United States, in a high-stakes bid to salvage the Iran nuclear deal, which many in the West see as the best hope of preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb and heading off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Under Macron's proposal, the United States and Europe would agree to block any Iranian nuclear activity until 2025 and beyond, address Iran's ballistic missile programme and generate conditions for a political solution to contain Iran in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. It was unclear whether Macron made substantial progress in his efforts to prevent Trump from pulling out of the 2015 deal, and Trump stressed there would be repercussions should Iran restart its nuclear programme. "If Iran threatens us in any way, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid," Trump said. But Trump said, "We will have a great shot at doing a much bigger, 'maybe deal, maybe not' deal." The French believe progress had been made. “What was important and new this morning was that President Trump was OK with putting on the table, with France, the idea of a new agreement that should be proposed to and worked on with the Iranians," a French official said. It was unclear what this would mean for the fate of the 2015 accord and whether the other countries such as China and Russia that signed it would agree to any new measures against Iran. A source familiar with the internal debate at the White House said one option under discussion was giving Europe more time to toughen the current Iran deal's terms. Iran has said it will ramp up its nuclear programme if the deal collapses and a senior Iranian official said on Tuesday that Tehran might quit a treaty designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons if Trump scraps the agreement. BACK SLAPPING Trump and Macron have developed a remarkably strong relationship at a time when many European leaders have kept a certain distance from Trump. On Tuesday evening, the Trumps are to host the Macrons at the first state dinner conducted by Trump since he took power in January, 2017. Macron's visit will be followed by one on Friday from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Trump, 71, and Macron, 40, were remarkably chummy, repeatedly shaking hands, slapping each other's backs and extolling each other's friendship. At one point Trump brushed dandruff from Macron's suit coat, saying: "We have to make him perfect -- he is perfect.” Macron hopes to leverage their friendship into progress on not only Iran but exempting Europe from steel tariffs, and protecting the 2016 Paris climate accord. Their talks also covered the U.S. presence in Syria weeks after the United States, France and Britain launched airstrikes in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack blamed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Trump wants to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, believing Islamic State militants are largely defeated, but Macron and other allies argue they should stay to ensure militants do not resurface and to block Iran from strengthening its foothold there. Macron urged Trump to keep U.S. forces in Syria for the time being. Trump did not promise to leave the troops in Syria but made clear they would not be withdrawn imminently. "We want to come home. We'll be coming home. But we want to leave a strong and lasting footprint," Trump said. The two leaders also discussed European calls for exemptions from Trump's plan for 25 percent tariffs on steel imports. Trump said chronic trade deficits with U.S. allies around the world are "unacceptable."

Will pay a price few countries have: Trump threatens Iran with retaliation if it restarts nuclear programme

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/asaram-verdict-today-security-beefed-up-in-3-states-entry-of-media-banned-132657">Asaram verdict today: Security heightened in 3 states, entry of media banned</a>

The Jodhpur Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Court will pronounce its verdict today in a rape case against Asaram Bapu, a self-styled godman.&nbsp;

The judgement in the case will be pronounced inside the Jodhpur Central Jail.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbse-to-hold-class-12-economics-paper-retest-today-132667">CBSE to hold Class 12 economics paper retest today</a>

The Central Board of Secondary Education will conduct a re-test of its Class 12 economics paper today, nearly a month after it was leaked triggering widespread outrage and confusion among students across India.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-pay-a-price-like-few-countries-have-trump-threatens-iran-with-retaliation-if-it-restarts-nuclear-programme-132654">Will pay a price like few countries have: Trump threatens Iran with retaliation if it restarts </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-pay-a-price-like-few-countries-have-trump-threatens-iran-with-retaliation-if-it-restarts-nuclear-programme-132654">nuclear</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-pay-a-price-like-few-countries-have-trump-threatens-iran-with-retaliation-if-it-restarts-nuclear-programme-132654"> programme</a>

US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump refrained from committing to staying in a 2015 nuclear deal and threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/anger-against-women-reason-for-toronto-van-attack-132664">Anger against women reason for Toronto van attack?&nbsp;</a>

The man accused of plowing a rental van into pedestrians on a crowded Toronto sidewalk, killing 10 people in Canada's deadliest mass killing in decades, left a "cryptic message" on social media before his attack, police said on Tuesday.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-super-salah-shines-again-as-liverpool-trounce-as-roma-in-semi-final-132649">Champions League: Super Salah shines again as Liverpool defeat AS Roma in semi-final&nbsp;first leg</a>

Liverpool blew Roma's defence to pieces as the Reds beat the visitors 5-2 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday at Anfield.

Read the five big stories of the day here

Asaram verdict today: Security heightened in 3 states, entry of media banned The Jodhpur Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Court will pronounce its verdict today in a rape case against Asaram Bapu, a self-styled godman. The judgement in the case will be pronounced inside the Jodhpur Central Jail. CBSE to hold Class 12 economics paper retest today The Central Board of Secondary Education will conduct a re-test of its Class 12 economics paper today, nearly a month after it was leaked triggering widespread outrage and confusion among students across India. Will pay a price like few countries have: Trump threatens Iran with retaliation if it restarts nuclear programme US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump refrained from committing to staying in a 2015 nuclear deal and threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme. Anger against women reason for Toronto van attack? The man accused of plowing a rental van into pedestrians on a crowded Toronto sidewalk, killing 10 people in Canada's deadliest mass killing in decades, left a "cryptic message" on social media before his attack, police said on Tuesday. Champions League: Super Salah shines again as Liverpool defeat AS Roma in semi-final first leg Liverpool blew Roma's defence to pieces as the Reds beat the visitors 5-2 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday at Anfield.

Iran's president poured scorn on Wednesday on US&nbspand European discussions over Tehran's nuclear agreement, and dismissed Donald Trump as a "tradesman" who lacked the qualifications to deal with a complex international pact.

Hassan Rouhani spoke after French President Emmanuel Macron flew to Washington to try to persuade Trump not to scrap the 2015 agreement - under which Iran curbed its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

“They say that with the certain leader of a European country we want to make a decision about a seven-sided agreement,” Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state TV.

“For what? With what right?”&nbsphe added.

He reserved particular scorn for the US&nbsppresident, who has called the agreement one of the worst deals ever negotiated and has threatened to restore US&nbspsanctions next month unless what he sees as severe flaws are fixed.

“You don’t have any background in politics. You don’t have any background in law. You don’t have any background on international treaties,” Rouhani said. “How can a tradesman, a merchant, a building constructor, a tower constructor make judgements about international affairs,” he added referring to Trump's career as a property developer.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump refrained from committing to staying in a 2015 nuclear deal and threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme.

At a joint news conference with Macron, Trump kept up his blistering rhetoric against the nuclear accord between Iran and world powers that the US&nbsppresident says does not address Tehran's rising influence in the Middle East or its ballistic missile programme. He called it insane, terrible and ridiculous.

The other powers that signed the agreement with Iran - Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France - have all said they want to preserve it. Many in the West see it as the best hope of preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb and heading off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

In a bid to salvage the deal while satisfying Trump's call for tougher action, Macron’s has proposed that the United States and Europe block any Iranian nuclear activity until 2025 and beyond, address Iran’s ballistic missile programme and generate conditions for a political solution to contain Iran in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks with Trump in Washington later in the week.

Senior Iranian officials have said repeatedly that Iran’s ballistic missile program is not up for negotiation.

Hassan Rouhani spoke after French President Emmanuel Macron flew to Washington to try to persuade Trump not to scrap the 2015 agreement - under which Iran curbed its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions

Iran's president poured scorn on Wednesday on US&nbspand European discussions over Tehran's nuclear agreement, and dismissed Donald Trump as a "tradesman" who lacked the qualifications to deal with a complex international pact. Hassan Rouhani spoke after French President Emmanuel Macron flew to Washington to try to persuade Trump not to scrap the 2015 agreement - under which Iran curbed its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions. “They say that with the certain leader of a European country we want to make a decision about a seven-sided agreement,” Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state TV. “For what? With what right?”&nbsphe added. He reserved particular scorn for the US&nbsppresident, who has called the agreement one of the worst deals ever negotiated and has threatened to restore US&nbspsanctions next month unless what he sees as severe flaws are fixed. “You don’t have any background in politics. You don’t have any background in law. You don’t have any background on international treaties,” Rouhani said. “How can a tradesman, a merchant, a building constructor, a tower constructor make judgements about international affairs,” he added referring to Trump's career as a property developer. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump refrained from committing to staying in a 2015 nuclear deal and threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme. At a joint news conference with Macron, Trump kept up his blistering rhetoric against the nuclear accord between Iran and world powers that the US&nbsppresident says does not address Tehran's rising influence in the Middle East or its ballistic missile programme. He called it insane, terrible and ridiculous. The other powers that signed the agreement with Iran - Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France - have all said they want to preserve it. Many in the West see it as the best hope of preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb and heading off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. In a bid to salvage the deal while satisfying Trump's call for tougher action, Macron’s has proposed that the United States and Europe block any Iranian nuclear activity until 2025 and beyond, address Iran’s ballistic missile programme and generate conditions for a political solution to contain Iran in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks with Trump in Washington later in the week. Senior Iranian officials have said repeatedly that Iran’s ballistic missile program is not up for negotiation.

Iran pours scorn on nuclear talks, dismisses 'tradesman' Trump

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-the-inter-korean-summit-ground-report-from-dmz-132567">Ahead of the inter-Korean summit, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-the-inter-korean-summit-ground-report-from-dmz-132567">ground</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-the-inter-korean-summit-ground-report-from-dmz-132567"> report from DMZ</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un will make history on Friday by becoming the first North Korean leader to set foot in South Korea in six decades. He will meet South Korean president Moon Jae-in for the third inter-Korean summit. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/casting-couch-exists-everywhere-even-parliament-not-immune-to-it-claims-renuka-chowdhury-132550">Watch: 'Casting couch’ exists everywhere, even Parliament not immune, claims Renuka Chowdhury</a>

Congress leader and former Member of Parliament Renuka Chowdhury on Tuesday made a claim on the alleged culture of ‘casting couch’ that has often brought the Indian film industry under attack.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-intention-of-signing-fta-with-china-right-now-bangladesh-132561">No intention of signing FTA with China right now: Bangladesh</a>

Bangladesh is in no rush to sign a free trade agreement with China, a senior Bangladeshi trade official said on Tuesday, though Chinese officials said it would help the poor South Asian country cut its deficit with its largest trading partner.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-will-face-severe-consequences-if-nuclear-deal-not-accepted-iran-president-132538">Trump will face 'severe consequences' if nuclear deal not accepted: Iran President</a>

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday warned US President Donald Trump to remain in the nuclear deal or else he could face "severe consequences."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-world-war-ii-era-dakota-finally-home-bound-to-india-132589">Watch: World War-II era Dakota finally home-bound to India</a>

It's a World War-II era aircraft. It's a plane which was a game-changer while transporting Indian troops into Srinagar during the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan in 1947 just after India's independence. It's a plane which has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. And it's a plane which is finally home-bound.

Ahead of the inter-Korean summit, ground report from DMZ North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un will make history on Friday by becoming the first North Korean leader to set foot in South Korea in six decades. He will meet South Korean president Moon Jae-in for the third inter-Korean summit. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. Watch: 'Casting couch’ exists everywhere, even Parliament not immune, claims Renuka Chowdhury Congress leader and former Member of Parliament Renuka Chowdhury on Tuesday made a claim on the alleged culture of ‘casting couch’ that has often brought the Indian film industry under attack. No intention of signing FTA with China right now: Bangladesh Bangladesh is in no rush to sign a free trade agreement with China, a senior Bangladeshi trade official said on Tuesday, though Chinese officials said it would help the poor South Asian country cut its deficit with its largest trading partner. Trump will face 'severe consequences' if nuclear deal not accepted: Iran President Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday warned US President Donald Trump to remain in the nuclear deal or else he could face "severe consequences." Watch: World War-II era Dakota finally home-bound to India It's a World War-II era aircraft. It's a plane which was a game-changer while transporting Indian troops into Srinagar during the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan in 1947 just after India's independence. It's a plane which has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. And it's a plane which is finally home-bound.

The European signatories of Iran's nuclear deal with major powers should convince US President Donald Trump not to exit the accord as there is no "plan B" for the agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Monday (April 23).

"It is either all or nothing. European leaders should encourage Trump not just to stay in the nuclear deal, but more important to begin implementing his part of the bargain in good faith," Zarif wrote on his Twitter account.

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President Macron is correct in saying there's no "Plan B" on JCPOA. It's either all or nothing. European leaders should encourage President Trump not just to stay in the nuclear deal, but more importantly to begin implementing his part of the bargain in good faith.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/988363248155193344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Teheran agreed to curb its nuclear programme 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 lifted in January 2016.

Trump has given the European signatories a May 12 deadline to "fix the terrible flaws" of the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will refuse to extend US sanctions relief on Iran.

US&nbsp;allies and rivals spoke out in support of the Iran nuclear deal on Monday, bolstering French President Emmanuel Macron's pitch to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump that there was no "Plan B" for keeping a lid on Tehran's atomic ambitions.

A nuclear non-proliferation conference in Geneva heard repeated calls for parties to the deal -- the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany -- to ensure its implementation and preservation.

"The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action continues to be the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and to realise the promised tangible economic benefits for the Iranian people," UN&nbsp;High representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said.

But US&nbsp;non-proliferation envoy Robert Ford said Iran presented a very real long-term challenge to the non-proliferation regime.

"Iran (is) a country that for years illegally and secretly sought to develop nuclear weapons, suspended its weaponization work only when confronted by the potentially direst of consequences without ever coming clean about its illicit endeavours," he said.

"For several more years (it) continued its efforts to enrich uranium in violation of legally-binding UN&nbsp;Security Council requirements, and retains the ability to position itself, several years hence, dangerously close to rapid weaponization."

On a visit to Beijing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had agreed with his Chinese counterpart to block any US&nbsp;attempt to sabotage the deal.

"We are against revising these agreements, we consider it very counter productive to try to reduce to zero years of international work carried out via talks between the six major powers and Iran," Lavrov said after talks with the Chinese government’s top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi.

"We will obstruct attempts to sabotage these agreements which were enshrined in a U.N. Security Council resolution," Lavrov said.

EU disarmament envoy Jacek Bylica said the deal strengthened the international non-proliferation regime, contributed to regional and international security and ensured the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme.

Cornel Seruta, a senior official at the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the deal had significantly improved access to Iran.

"In short, Iran is now subject to the most robust nuclear verification regime and Iran is implementing its nuclear related commitments under the JCPOA," he said. "It is essential that Iran continues to fully implement those commitments."

Trump has given the European signatories a May 12 deadline to "fix the terrible flaws" of the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will refuse to extend US sanctions relief on Iran

The European signatories of Iran's nuclear deal with major powers should convince US President Donald Trump not to exit the accord as there is no "plan B" for the agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Monday (April 23). "It is either all or nothing. European leaders should encourage Trump not just to stay in the nuclear deal, but more important to begin implementing his part of the bargain in good faith," Zarif wrote on his Twitter account. President Macron is correct in saying there's no "Plan B" on JCPOA. It's either all or nothing. European leaders should encourage President Trump not just to stay in the nuclear deal, but more importantly to begin implementing his part of the bargain in good faith. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 23, 2018 × Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Teheran agreed to curb its nuclear programme 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 lifted in January 2016. Trump has given the European signatories a May 12 deadline to "fix the terrible flaws" of the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will refuse to extend US sanctions relief on Iran. US allies and rivals spoke out in support of the Iran nuclear deal on Monday, bolstering French President Emmanuel Macron's pitch to US President Donald Trump that there was no "Plan B" for keeping a lid on Tehran's atomic ambitions. A nuclear non-proliferation conference in Geneva heard repeated calls for parties to the deal -- the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany -- to ensure its implementation and preservation. "The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action continues to be the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and to realise the promised tangible economic benefits for the Iranian people," UN High representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said. But US non-proliferation envoy Robert Ford said Iran presented a very real long-term challenge to the non-proliferation regime. "Iran (is) a country that for years illegally and secretly sought to develop nuclear weapons, suspended its weaponization work only when confronted by the potentially direst of consequences without ever coming clean about its illicit endeavours," he said. "For several more years (it) continued its efforts to enrich uranium in violation of legally-binding UN Security Council requirements, and retains the ability to position itself, several years hence, dangerously close to rapid weaponization." On a visit to Beijing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had agreed with his Chinese counterpart to block any US attempt to sabotage the deal. "We are against revising these agreements, we consider it very counter productive to try to reduce to zero years of international work carried out via talks between the six major powers and Iran," Lavrov said after talks with the Chinese government’s top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi. "We will obstruct attempts to sabotage these agreements which were enshrined in a U.N. Security Council resolution," Lavrov said. EU disarmament envoy Jacek Bylica said the deal strengthened the international non-proliferation regime, contributed to regional and international security and ensured the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme. Cornel Seruta, a senior official at the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the deal had significantly improved access to Iran. "In short, Iran is now subject to the most robust nuclear verification regime and Iran is implementing its nuclear related commitments under the JCPOA," he said. "It is essential that Iran continues to fully implement those commitments."

It is either all or nothing, says Iran foreign minister over nuclear deal

Iran warned the United States on Thursday of "unpleasant" consequences if Washington pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, Iranian state TV reported.

"Iran has several options if the United States leaves the nuclear deal. Tehran`s reaction to America's withdrawal of the deal will be unpleasant," TV quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on his arrival in New York.&nbsp

Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program 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 lifted in January 2016.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has given the European signatories a May 12 deadline to “fix the terrible flaws” of the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran.

Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other parties respect it, but will “shred” the deal if Washington pulls out.

Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program 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 lifted in January 2016

Iran warned the United States on Thursday of "unpleasant" consequences if Washington pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, Iranian state TV reported. "Iran has several options if the United States leaves the nuclear deal. Tehran`s reaction to America's withdrawal of the deal will be unpleasant," TV quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on his arrival in New York. Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program 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 lifted in January 2016. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has given the European signatories a May 12 deadline to “fix the terrible flaws” of the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other parties respect it, but will “shred” the deal if Washington pulls out.

Iran warns of 'unpleasant' response if US drops nuclear deal: Report

Iran will withdraw from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal if there is no economic benefit from it and major banks continue to fail to do business with the Islamic Republic, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday.

The July 2015 agreement between Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - obliged Iran to restrict its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy.

US President Donald Trump delivered an ultimatum to European powers on January 12, saying they must agree to &ldquo;fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal&rdquo; or he would refuse to extend the US sanctions relief on Iran that it calls for.

US sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh &ldquo;waivers&rdquo; to suspend them on May 12.

&quot;The deal would not survive this way even if the ultimatum is passed and waivers are extended,&quot; Araqchi said in a speech at Chatham House in London.

&quot;If the same policy of confusion and uncertainties about the JCPOA continues, if companies and banks are not working with Iran, we cannot remain in a deal that has no benefit for us,&quot; Araqchi said. &quot;That&rsquo;s a fact.&quot;

Trump sees three defects in the deal: its failure to address Iran&rsquo;s ballistic missile program; the terms under which international inspectors can visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites; and &ldquo;sunset&rdquo; clauses under which limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire after 10 years.

He wants all three strengthened if the United States is to stay in the nuclear deal, which is known by diplomats as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.

Iran warned that the collapse of the deal would thrust the world into another nuclear crisis.

&quot;If we lose the JCPOA, we will face another nuclear crisis,&rdquo; Araqchi said.

&ldquo;For the Europeans or the world community, when we talk about maintaining the JCPOA and saving it, it&rsquo;s not a choice between Iranian or the US market, it&rsquo;s not a choice for economic cooperation: it&rsquo;s a choice between having security and insecurity,&quot; Araqchi said.

The July 2015 agreement between Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - obliged Iran to restrict its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy

Iran will withdraw from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal if there is no economic benefit from it and major banks continue to fail to do business with the Islamic Republic, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday. The July 2015 agreement between Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - obliged Iran to restrict its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy. US President Donald Trump delivered an ultimatum to European powers on January 12, saying they must agree to “fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal” or he would refuse to extend the US sanctions relief on Iran that it calls for. US sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh “waivers” to suspend them on May 12. "The deal would not survive this way even if the ultimatum is passed and waivers are extended," Araqchi said in a speech at Chatham House in London. "If the same policy of confusion and uncertainties about the JCPOA continues, if companies and banks are not working with Iran, we cannot remain in a deal that has no benefit for us," Araqchi said. "That’s a fact." Trump sees three defects in the deal: its 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 limits on the Iranian nuclear program start to expire after 10 years. He wants all three strengthened if the United States is to stay in the nuclear deal, which is known by diplomats as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. Iran warned that the collapse of the deal would thrust the world into another nuclear crisis. "If we lose the JCPOA, we will face another nuclear crisis,” Araqchi said. “For the Europeans or the world community, when we talk about maintaining the JCPOA and saving it, it’s not a choice between Iranian or the US market, it’s not a choice for economic cooperation: it’s a choice between having security and insecurity," Araqchi said.

Iran will withdraw from nuclear deal if there is no economic benefit: Deputy minister

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is &quot;absolutely critical&quot; that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump extended sanctions waivers in January. He later stated that he would not do the same at the time of the renewal in May unless his concerns are addressed.

Kerry, who is also one of the leading negotiators on the deal, spoke at the Munich Security Conference today and called the White House&#39;s stance on the nuke deal as &quot;untenable&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;It is not good diplomacy,&quot; Kerry noted.&nbsp;

Kerry noted the deal to be of the utmost importance for the world. He stated that going backwards on the agreement is not an option. &quot;Without the Iran nuclear agreement the world is not a better place,&quot; Kerry added.&nbsp;

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on his three-day visit to India, also talked about the nuclear deal and agreements with the United States.&nbsp;

He noted that the Iranian government will adhere to any agreement that is signed with the United States.&nbsp;

&quot;If the US violates this agreement, you will see that America will regret its decision. Not only US administration, but also US people would voice their opposition immediately and will object to the violators,&quot; Rouhani added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kerry noted the deal to be of the utmost importance for the world

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is "absolutely critical" that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal. US President Donald Trump extended sanctions waivers in January. He later stated that he would not do the same at the time of the renewal in May unless his concerns are addressed. Kerry, who is also one of the leading negotiators on the deal, spoke at the Munich Security Conference today and called the White House's stance on the nuke deal as "untenable". "It is not good diplomacy," Kerry noted. Kerry noted the deal to be of the utmost importance for the world. He stated that going backwards on the agreement is not an option. "Without the Iran nuclear agreement the world is not a better place," Kerry added. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on his three-day visit to India, also talked about the nuclear deal and agreements with the United States. He noted that the Iranian government will adhere to any agreement that is signed with the United States. "If the US violates this agreement, you will see that America will regret its decision. Not only US administration, but also US people would voice their opposition immediately and will object to the violators," Rouhani added.

Iran nuclear deal must survive: Former US Secretary of State John Kerry

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/74-polling-in-tripura-assembly-elections-ec-33265" target="_blank">74% polling in Tripura assembly elections: Election Commission</a>

The total voter turnout stood at 74 per cent in the single-phase Tripura Assembly polls Sunday, 17 per cent less than the last Assembly election when the polling percentage was recorded at 91.82.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/do-not-test-israel-netanyahu-tells-iran-brandishing-drone-piece-33252" target="_blank">&#39;Do not test Israel&#39;, Netanyahu tells Iran, brandishing drone &#39;piece&#39;</a>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran on Sunday over aggressions by what he called Iran and its &quot;proxies&quot; in Syria, while showing what he claimed was a piece of an Iranian drone shot down in Israeli airspace.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-airline-retracts-toll-of-66-dead-in-plane-crash-media-33250" target="_blank">Iran airline retracts toll of 66 dead in plane crash: Media</a>

Iran`s Aseman Airlines on Sunday retracted its statement that all 66 people aboard a passenger plane had died after it crashed, as rescue teams struggled to find the wreckage.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pnb-scam-arrested-bank-officials-refusing-to-cooperate-say-cbi-sources-33238" target="_blank">PNB scam: Arrested bank officials refusing to cooperate, say CBI sources</a>

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources Sunday said the Punjab National Bank officials (PNB) arrested are not co-operating in the investigation of the fraudulent transaction scam of Rs 11,400 crore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-nuclear-deal-must-survive-former-us-secretary-of-state-john-kerry-33261" target="_blank">Iran nuclear deal must survive: Former US Secretary of State John Kerry</a>

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is &quot;absolutely critical&quot; that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal.&nbsp;

74% polling in Tripura assembly elections: Election Commission The total voter turnout stood at 74 per cent in the single-phase Tripura Assembly polls Sunday, 17 per cent less than the last Assembly election when the polling percentage was recorded at 91.82. 'Do not test Israel', Netanyahu tells Iran, brandishing drone 'piece' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran on Sunday over aggressions by what he called Iran and its "proxies" in Syria, while showing what he claimed was a piece of an Iranian drone shot down in Israeli airspace. Iran airline retracts toll of 66 dead in plane crash: Media Iran`s Aseman Airlines on Sunday retracted its statement that all 66 people aboard a passenger plane had died after it crashed, as rescue teams struggled to find the wreckage. PNB scam: Arrested bank officials refusing to cooperate, say CBI sources The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources Sunday said the Punjab National Bank officials (PNB) arrested are not co-operating in the investigation of the fraudulent transaction scam of Rs 11,400 crore. Iran nuclear deal must survive: Former US Secretary of State John Kerry Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is "absolutely critical" that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal.

WION Evening News brief, February 18, 2018

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/want-to-develop-railway-relations-between-india-and-iran-president-rouhani-33173" target="_blank">Iran, India ink nine pacts after &#39;substantive&#39; dialogues on wide range of issues</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-are-not-conspiring-to-help-scamsters-flee-but-catching-them-instead-nirmala-sitharaman-33179" target="_blank">PNB scam: Sitharaman drags in Abhishek Singhvi, who says &#39;I&#39;ll sue you&#39;</a>

The BJP on Saturday alleged that the multi-crore PNB scam involving billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi happened during the UPA rule and the Congress was spreading lies.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-9-killed-in-lpg-cylinder-blast-33188" target="_blank">Rajasthan: 9 killed in LPG cylinder blast</a>

At least nine people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries after two LPG cylinders exploded at a wedding ceremony in Beawar in Rajasthan`s Ajmer district,&nbsp; reports said quoting police sources.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/suspected-boko-haram-suicide-blasts-kill-19-in-nigeria-33169" target="_blank">Suspected Boko Haram suicide blasts kill 19 in Nigeria</a>

Three suicide bombers killed 19 people at a fish market in Konduga, northeast Nigeria, civilian militia leaders said on Saturday, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/america-will-regret-its-decision-if-it-violates-nuclear-agreement-president-rouhani-33189" target="_blank">America will regret its decision if it violates &#39;nuclear&#39; agreement: President Rouhani</a>

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is currently on a three-day visit to India, expressed his opinion on the Trump administration noting that the Iranians had long had their destiny in the hands of the US.&nbsp;

Iran, India ink nine pacts after 'substantive' dialogues on wide range of issues Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance. PNB scam: Sitharaman drags in Abhishek Singhvi, who says 'I'll sue you' The BJP on Saturday alleged that the multi-crore PNB scam involving billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi happened during the UPA rule and the Congress was spreading lies. Rajasthan: 9 killed in LPG cylinder blast At least nine people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries after two LPG cylinders exploded at a wedding ceremony in Beawar in Rajasthan`s Ajmer district, reports said quoting police sources. Suspected Boko Haram suicide blasts kill 19 in Nigeria Three suicide bombers killed 19 people at a fish market in Konduga, northeast Nigeria, civilian militia leaders said on Saturday, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists. America will regret its decision if it violates 'nuclear' agreement: President Rouhani Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is currently on a three-day visit to India, expressed his opinion on the Trump administration noting that the Iranians had long had their destiny in the hands of the US.

WION Evening News brief, February 17, 2018

Iran said on Tuesday US&nbsp;President Donald Trump cannot cause its nuclear deal with six major powers to collapse.

&quot;The nuclear deal will not collapse... Those who hope that Trump will cause its collapse, are wrong,&quot; Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on State TV.

In October, Trump declined to certify that Iran was complying with the nuclear agreement reached among Tehran, the United States and other powers in 2015. His decision triggered a 60-day window for Congress to decide whether to bring back sanctions on Iran.

Congress passed the ball back to Trump by letting the deadline on reimposing sanctions on Iran pass last week. Trump must decide in mid-January if he wants to continue to waive energy sanctions on Iran.

Under the deal, nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted last year, in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme.

Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other signatories respect it, but will &ldquo;shred&rdquo; the deal if Washington pulls out.

Under the deal, nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted last year, in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme

Iran said on Tuesday US President Donald Trump cannot cause its nuclear deal with six major powers to collapse. "The nuclear deal will not collapse... Those who hope that Trump will cause its collapse, are wrong," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on State TV. In October, Trump declined to certify that Iran was complying with the nuclear agreement reached among Tehran, the United States and other powers in 2015. His decision triggered a 60-day window for Congress to decide whether to bring back sanctions on Iran. Congress passed the ball back to Trump by letting the deadline on reimposing sanctions on Iran pass last week. Trump must decide in mid-January if he wants to continue to waive energy sanctions on Iran. Under the deal, nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted last year, in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme. Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other signatories respect it, but will “shred” the deal if Washington pulls out.

Iran says Trump cannot cause collapse of nuclear deal

The United States is Iran&#39;s &#39;number one enemy&#39;&nbsp;and Tehran will never succumb to Washington&#39;s pressure over a multinational nuclear deal, Iran&#39;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised speech on Thursday.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump broke ranks with other major powers last month by refusing to formally certify Iran&#39;s compliance with the nuclear deal.

Under that deal, most sanctions on Iran were lifted in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear work.

&quot;The American president&#39;s foolish remarks against our people show the depth of America&#39;s hostility towards the entire Iranian nation,&quot; Iran&#39;s top authority Khamenei told a group of students.&nbsp;

&quot;America is the number one enemy of our nation.&quot;&nbsp;

Since the deal was reached in 2015, Khamenei has continued to denounce the United States publicly, suggesting that antagonism between the two countries since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Tehran would not abate because of the accord.&nbsp;

Iran and the United States severed diplomatic ties shortly after the revolution, when hardline students took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Iran will mark the anniversary of the American embassy seizure on Saturday.&nbsp;

Trump has called the nuclear agreement, which was reached under his predecessor Barack Obama, &#39;the worst deal ever negotiated&#39;&nbsp;and has adopted a harsh approach to Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.&nbsp;

Washington has imposed new sanctions on Iran over its missile activity, calling on Tehran not to develop missiles capable of delivering nuclear bombs. Iran says it has no such plans and its missile programme is solely for defence purposes.

The deal`s other signatories, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, and the European Union say Washington cannot unilaterally cancel an international accord enshrined by a UN&nbsp;resolution.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said that Tehran would stick to the nuclear accord as long as the other signatories respected it. But it has warned about the consequences if the deal falls apart.&nbsp;

&quot;We will never accept their bullying over the nuclear deal. Americans are using all the wickedness to damage the result of the nuclear talks,&quot; Khamenei said to chants of &#39;Death to America&#39;&nbsp;by students.&nbsp;

&quot;Any retreat by Iran will make America more blatant and impudent. Resistance is the only option.&quot;

Trump also accuses Iran of supporting terrorism in the Middle East. Iran rejects that and in turn blames the growth of militant groups such as Islamic State on the policies of the United States and its regional allies.&nbsp;

Shi&#39;ite-dominated Iran and its regional arch-rival, US backed Sunni Saudi Arabia, are involved in proxy wars across the region, backing opposite sides in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon.

U.S. President Donald Trump broke ranks with other major powers last month by refusing to formally certify Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal.

The United States is Iran's 'number one enemy' and Tehran will never succumb to Washington's pressure over a multinational nuclear deal, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised speech on Thursday. US President Donald Trump broke ranks with other major powers last month by refusing to formally certify Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal. Under that deal, most sanctions on Iran were lifted in exchange for Tehran curbing its nuclear work. "The American president's foolish remarks against our people show the depth of America's hostility towards the entire Iranian nation," Iran's top authority Khamenei told a group of students. "America is the number one enemy of our nation." Since the deal was reached in 2015, Khamenei has continued to denounce the United States publicly, suggesting that antagonism between the two countries since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Tehran would not abate because of the accord. Iran and the United States severed diplomatic ties shortly after the revolution, when hardline students took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Iran will mark the anniversary of the American embassy seizure on Saturday. Trump has called the nuclear agreement, which was reached under his predecessor Barack Obama, 'the worst deal ever negotiated' and has adopted a harsh approach to Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Washington has imposed new sanctions on Iran over its missile activity, calling on Tehran not to develop missiles capable of delivering nuclear bombs. Iran says it has no such plans and its missile programme is solely for defence purposes. The deal`s other signatories, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China, and the European Union say Washington cannot unilaterally cancel an international accord enshrined by a UN resolution. Iranian officials have repeatedly said that Tehran would stick to the nuclear accord as long as the other signatories respected it. But it has warned about the consequences if the deal falls apart. "We will never accept their bullying over the nuclear deal. Americans are using all the wickedness to damage the result of the nuclear talks," Khamenei said to chants of 'Death to America' by students. "Any retreat by Iran will make America more blatant and impudent. Resistance is the only option." Trump also accuses Iran of supporting terrorism in the Middle East. Iran rejects that and in turn blames the growth of militant groups such as Islamic State on the policies of the United States and its regional allies. Shi'ite-dominated Iran and its regional arch-rival, US backed Sunni Saudi Arabia, are involved in proxy wars across the region, backing opposite sides in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon.

Supreme Leader Khamenei says US is Iran's 'number one enemy'

By:&nbsp;Tridivesh Singh Maini &amp; Sandeep Sachdeva*

New Delhi,&nbsp;while consistently expanding strategic and economic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) and Israel, has also sought to strengthen ties with Tehran, which has tense relations with both. The Nuclear Deal of 2015, signed between Iran and (P5+1) countries opened new vistas for India in Iran, which is strategically located and is India&rsquo;s potential gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia.&nbsp;

During his visit to Iran in 2016, PM Modi signed an agreement, not just committing financial assistance&nbsp;to the tune of 500 Million USD for phase 1 of the development of the Chabahar Project, but also a three nation agreement with Iran and Afghanistan&nbsp;for establishing a land, transit and trade corridor. India will build a <a href="http://russiancouncil.ru/en/blogs/tridivesh-en/33618/">500-km rail line</a> from Chabahar port from the southern coast of Iran to Zahedan, close to the Afghan border, at a cost of $1.6 billion as part of the transit corridor to Afghanistan. &quot;It will open new routes for India, Iran, and Afghanistan to connect among themselves,&quot; said PM Modi with regard to the corridor.

India&rsquo;s main aim was to get access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Pakistan has continuously opposed India&rsquo;s entry into the <a href="http://russiancouncil.ru/en/blogs/tridivesh-en/33618/">APTTA</a>&nbsp;(Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement), even though Afghanistan has been in favour of India joining the agreement. APTTA is a transit trade agreement as it is quite evident from its name. Currently, Afghan goods can come into India, but trucks stop at Wagah (Pakistani side of the border). India, however, has been deprived of land access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

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<h5>Given India&rsquo;s increasingly close ties with the US, and importance of Iran in the context of connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia, striking a balance may be a challenge given Trump&rsquo;s unpredictability.</h5>
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There have been some hitches with regard to the Chabahar project kicking off by 2018. The <a href="https://www.google.co.in/amp/www.firstpost.com/india/chabahar-port-why-future-of-india-iran-project-hinges-on-outcome-of-narendra-modi-donald-trump-meet-3722647.html/amp">companies which are to develop customised equipment jetties and container terminals</a> were not willing to take part in the bidding process. The banks were not ready to facilitate the financial transactions involving Iran due to the uncertain policies of Trump administration towards&nbsp;Iran. Apart from this, there was a delay in <a href="http://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/iran-india-trade-charges-on-delay-of-chabahar-port/articleshow/56990454.cms">loan disbursement of $ 150 million</a>&nbsp;with India and Iran blaming each other for the delay. Transport minister, Nitin Gadkari who attended Iranian President Rouhani&rsquo;s swearing in on August 5, 2017, categorically stated:

&quot;India and Iran have been historically sharing special ties. We are keen on developing Chabahar Port and are hopeful of starting operations in 12 to 18 months.&quot;

US-Iran ties

India, however, needs to carefully observe Trump&rsquo;s warnings to Iran on the nuclear deal. Iran has categorically stated, that it will quit the Nuclear Deal if more sanctions are imposed. Rouhani&#39;s exact words were:&nbsp;&quot;Iran could quit the nuclear deal within hours if the US imposes more sanctions.&quot;

Even though Iran has followed the conditions of the deal, Trump has threatened about imposing sanctions. The Secretary of State Rex Tillerson,&nbsp;however, has made it clear on umpteen occasions, that the US will not scrap the deal. Interestingly, Tillerson has also stated, that he and the US President have differences over the deal. Whereas President Trump is in favour of calling off the deal and imposing new sanctions, secretary of state <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tillerson-iran-idUSKBN1AH5E7">Tillerson </a>subscribes to the view, that America should not strike the deal rather engage with Iran to bring stability in the neighbourhood, especially in Iraq and Syria by holding it accountable.&nbsp;

Given India&rsquo;s increasingly close ties with the US, and importance of Iran in the context of connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia, striking a balance may be a challenge given Trump&rsquo;s unpredictability. 
&nbsp; 
Iran-Pakistan ties&nbsp;

New Delhi should also observe carefully Iran&rsquo;s support for Pakistan, particularly after Trump&rsquo;s speech on August 21 where he warned Pakistan to take more concrete action against terror groups operating on Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Iran came to the defence of Pakistan, with foreign ministry spokesman, Bahram Ghasemi saying:

&quot;What presently the US is highlighting to condemn other countries with is the result of years of wrong and inappropriate policies of Americans in the countries of the region, especially Afghanistan.&rdquo;

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<h5>Iran already has strong economic ties with China, moving closer to Pakistan would not be good news for India.</h5>
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Iran already has strong economic ties with China, and it moving closer to Pakistan would not be good news for India. New Delhi has been trying to jointly work with both Afghanistan and Iran much to the chagrin of the Pakistan army.&nbsp;

Significantly, in May 2017, Iran had taken a tough stance against certain terror groups operating from Pakistan, warning that it would hit the bases of Sunni militant groups operating in Pakistan. In April 2017, Ten Iranian border guards had been killed by militants and Iran blamed Sunni groups operating from Pakistan. <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-pakistan-security-idUSKBN1840SY">Major General Mohammad Baqeri</a>, head of the Iranian armed forces had said, &ldquo;If the terrorist attacks continue, we will hit their safe havens and cells, wherever they are.&rdquo;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Middle East

New Delhi should also be watching the gradual softening of Iran towards Saudi Arabia and Turkey. On the sidelines of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul earlier this month, the <a href="#vgi=11831571547160704589&amp;amp=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.al-monitor.com%252Fpulse%252Fen%252Foriginals%252F2017%252F08%252Firan-zarif-jubeir-saudi-fm-handshake-istanbul-shamkhani-deal.amp.html&amp;ampidx=0&amp;ampct=1504066232985">foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia</a> met and exchanged greetings. Earlier this month Iranian chief of staff of the armed forces, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-iran-military-idUSKCN1AW1PT">Major-General Mohammad Baqeri</a> paid a visit to Turkey to explore possible synergies in counter-terrorism and the Syrian conflict. This is a clear indication of a significant improvement in bilateral ties. It has also been reported, that their high-level officials are likely to meet again.&nbsp;

While New Delhi has strong ties with both, and this has been a challenge in the past, the tensions were also to the benefit of India. Due to tensions between Iran and GCC countries, especially Saudi Arabia, New Delhi could also pressurise both sides to urge Pakistan to take action against terror groups. Apart from strengthening of India-US ties, Saudi Arabia has been apprehensive about India getting too close to Iran. This has resulted in Riyadh not just adopting a more nuanced stand on terrorism emanating from Pakistan and extraditing terrorists, but also strengthening security cooperation with India.&nbsp;

While currently, India is bogged down with numerous domestic challenges, and other foreign policy priorities, especially with China,&nbsp;a close watch should be kept on Iran&rsquo;s next moves not just in the context of its deal with the US, but also on&nbsp;its ties with Pakistan and GCC countries.&nbsp;

*Sandeep Sachdeva is an Independent Policy Analyst associated with The Jindal School of International Affairs, Sonipat.

Iran already has strong economic ties with China, and it moving closer to Pakistan would not be good news for India.

By: Tridivesh Singh Maini & Sandeep Sachdeva* New Delhi, while consistently expanding strategic and economic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) and Israel, has also sought to strengthen ties with Tehran, which has tense relations with both. The Nuclear Deal of 2015, signed between Iran and (P5+1) countries opened new vistas for India in Iran, which is strategically located and is India’s potential gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia. During his visit to Iran in 2016, PM Modi signed an agreement, not just committing financial assistance to the tune of 500 Million USD for phase 1 of the development of the Chabahar Project, but also a three nation agreement with Iran and Afghanistan for establishing a land, transit and trade corridor. India will build a 500-km rail line from Chabahar port from the southern coast of Iran to Zahedan, close to the Afghan border, at a cost of $1.6 billion as part of the transit corridor to Afghanistan. "It will open new routes for India, Iran, and Afghanistan to connect among themselves," said PM Modi with regard to the corridor. India’s main aim was to get access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Pakistan has continuously opposed India’s entry into the APTTA (Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement), even though Afghanistan has been in favour of India joining the agreement. APTTA is a transit trade agreement as it is quite evident from its name. Currently, Afghan goods can come into India, but trucks stop at Wagah (Pakistani side of the border). India, however, has been deprived of land access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Given India’s increasingly close ties with the US, and importance of Iran in the context of connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia, striking a balance may be a challenge given Trump’s unpredictability. × There have been some hitches with regard to the Chabahar project kicking off by 2018. The companies which are to develop customised equipment jetties and container terminals were not willing to take part in the bidding process. The banks were not ready to facilitate the financial transactions involving Iran due to the uncertain policies of Trump administration towards Iran. Apart from this, there was a delay in loan disbursement of $ 150 million with India and Iran blaming each other for the delay. Transport minister, Nitin Gadkari who attended Iranian President Rouhani’s swearing in on August 5, 2017, categorically stated: "India and Iran have been historically sharing special ties. We are keen on developing Chabahar Port and are hopeful of starting operations in 12 to 18 months." US-Iran ties India, however, needs to carefully observe Trump’s warnings to Iran on the nuclear deal. Iran has categorically stated, that it will quit the Nuclear Deal if more sanctions are imposed. Rouhani's exact words were: "Iran could quit the nuclear deal within hours if the US imposes more sanctions." Even though Iran has followed the conditions of the deal, Trump has threatened about imposing sanctions. The Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, however, has made it clear on umpteen occasions, that the US will not scrap the deal. Interestingly, Tillerson has also stated, that he and the US President have differences over the deal. Whereas President Trump is in favour of calling off the deal and imposing new sanctions, secretary of state Tillerson subscribes to the view, that America should not strike the deal rather engage with Iran to bring stability in the neighbourhood, especially in Iraq and Syria by holding it accountable. Given India’s increasingly close ties with the US, and importance of Iran in the context of connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia, striking a balance may be a challenge given Trump’s unpredictability. Iran-Pakistan ties New Delhi should also observe carefully Iran’s support for Pakistan, particularly after Trump’s speech on August 21 where he warned Pakistan to take more concrete action against terror groups operating on Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Iran came to the defence of Pakistan, with foreign ministry spokesman, Bahram Ghasemi saying: "What presently the US is highlighting to condemn other countries with is the result of years of wrong and inappropriate policies of Americans in the countries of the region, especially Afghanistan.” Iran already has strong economic ties with China, moving closer to Pakistan would not be good news for India. × Iran already has strong economic ties with China, and it moving closer to Pakistan would not be good news for India. New Delhi has been trying to jointly work with both Afghanistan and Iran much to the chagrin of the Pakistan army. Significantly, in May 2017, Iran had taken a tough stance against certain terror groups operating from Pakistan, warning that it would hit the bases of Sunni militant groups operating in Pakistan. In April 2017, Ten Iranian border guards had been killed by militants and Iran blamed Sunni groups operating from Pakistan. Major General Mohammad Baqeri, head of the Iranian armed forces had said, “If the terrorist attacks continue, we will hit their safe havens and cells, wherever they are.” Middle East New Delhi should also be watching the gradual softening of Iran towards Saudi Arabia and Turkey. On the sidelines of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul earlier this month, the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia met and exchanged greetings. Earlier this month Iranian chief of staff of the armed forces, Major-General Mohammad Baqeri paid a visit to Turkey to explore possible synergies in counter-terrorism and the Syrian conflict. This is a clear indication of a significant improvement in bilateral ties. It has also been reported, that their high-level officials are likely to meet again. While New Delhi has strong ties with both, and this has been a challenge in the past, the tensions were also to the benefit of India. Due to tensions between Iran and GCC countries, especially Saudi Arabia, New Delhi could also pressurise both sides to urge Pakistan to take action against terror groups. Apart from strengthening of India-US ties, Saudi Arabia has been apprehensive about India getting too close to Iran. This has resulted in Riyadh not just adopting a more nuanced stand on terrorism emanating from Pakistan and extraditing terrorists, but also strengthening security cooperation with India. While currently, India is bogged down with numerous domestic challenges, and other foreign policy priorities, especially with China, a close watch should be kept on Iran’s next moves not just in the context of its deal with the US, but also on its ties with Pakistan and GCC countries. *Sandeep Sachdeva is an Independent Policy Analyst associated with The Jindal School of International Affairs, Sonipat.

India should be careful about Iran's softening of stance towards Pakistan and China

The United States wants to know if the United Nations atomic watchdog plans to inspect&nbsp;Iranian military sites to verify Tehran&#39;s compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal, the US&nbsp;ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on Tuesday.

Haley will meet with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials in Vienna on Wednesday for what she described as a fact-finding mission, which is part of President Donald Trump&#39;s review of the deal&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;made with world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most sanctions.

&quot;If you look ... at past&nbsp;Iranian behavior, what you&#39;ve seen is there have been covert actions at military sites, at universities, things like that,&quot; Haley, a member of Trump&#39;s cabinet, told Reuters in an interview.

&quot;There were already issues in those locations, so are they including that in what they look at to make sure that those issues no longer remain?&quot; she said. &quot;They have the authority to look at military sites now. They have the authority to look at any suspicious sites now, it&#39;s just are they doing it?&quot;

She said she was traveling to Vienna to ask questions, not to push the IAEA to do anything.

A spokesman for the IAEA said it had no immediate comment and that there were no public statements planned on the meeting.

Iran&#39;s top authorities have flatly rejected giving international inspectors access to their military sites, and&nbsp;Iranian officials have told Reuters that any such move would trigger harsh consequences.

&quot;Why would they say that if they had nothing to hide? Why wouldn&#39;t they let the IAEA go there?&quot; Haley said.

Iran&#39;s atomic chief was quoted by state media as saying on Tuesday that&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;could resume production of highly enriched uranium within five days if the nuclear deal was revoked.

In April, Trump ordered a review of whether a suspension of sanctions on&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;related to the nuclear deal - negotiated under President Barack Obama - was in the US&nbsp;national security interest. He has called it &quot;the worst deal ever negotiated.&quot;

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned last week that&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;could abandon the nuclear agreement &quot;within hours&quot; if the United States imposes any more new sanctions.

Most UN&nbsp;and Western sanctions were lifted 18 months ago under the nuclear deal.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;is still subject to a UN&nbsp;arms embargo and other restrictions, which are not technically part of the deal.

The IAEA polices restrictions the deal placed on&nbsp;Iran&#39;s nuclear activities and reports quarterly.

Haley said some of the questions she had were: &quot;Are you looking at everything? Are you looking at those places where there has been covert activity in the past? Are you able to get access to these areas? Or are you being delayed? Are you being shut out from those things?&quot;

Under US&nbsp;law, the State Department must notify Congress every 90 days of&nbsp;Iran&#39;s compliance with the nuclear deal. The next deadline is October, and Trump has said he thinks by then the United States will declare&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;to be non-compliant.

&quot;We don&#39;t know if he&#39;s going to certify or decertify the deal,&quot; said Haley, adding that she would report back to Trump and the national security team.

The US&nbsp;review of its policy toward&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;is also looking at Tehran&#39;s behavior in the Middle East, which Washington has said undermines US&nbsp;interests in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon.

UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes the&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;nuclear deal is &quot;one of the most important diplomatic achievements in our search for, for peace and stability,&quot; UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday

&quot;Everyone involved needs to do its utmost to protect and support that agreement,&quot; Dujarric told reporters.

Iranian military sites to verify Tehran's compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on Tuesday

The United States wants to know if the United Nations atomic watchdog plans to inspect Iranian military sites to verify Tehran's compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on Tuesday. Haley will meet with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials in Vienna on Wednesday for what she described as a fact-finding mission, which is part of President Donald Trump's review of the deal Iran made with world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most sanctions. "If you look ... at past Iranian behavior, what you've seen is there have been covert actions at military sites, at universities, things like that," Haley, a member of Trump's cabinet, told Reuters in an interview. "There were already issues in those locations, so are they including that in what they look at to make sure that those issues no longer remain?" she said. "They have the authority to look at military sites now. They have the authority to look at any suspicious sites now, it's just are they doing it?" She said she was traveling to Vienna to ask questions, not to push the IAEA to do anything. A spokesman for the IAEA said it had no immediate comment and that there were no public statements planned on the meeting. Iran's top authorities have flatly rejected giving international inspectors access to their military sites, and Iranian officials have told Reuters that any such move would trigger harsh consequences. "Why would they say that if they had nothing to hide? Why wouldn't they let the IAEA go there?" Haley said. Iran's atomic chief was quoted by state media as saying on Tuesday that Iran could resume production of highly enriched uranium within five days if the nuclear deal was revoked. In April, Trump ordered a review of whether a suspension of sanctions on Iran related to the nuclear deal - negotiated under President Barack Obama - was in the US national security interest. He has called it "the worst deal ever negotiated." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned last week that Iran could abandon the nuclear agreement "within hours" if the United States imposes any more new sanctions. Most UN and Western sanctions were lifted 18 months ago under the nuclear deal. Iran is still subject to a UN arms embargo and other restrictions, which are not technically part of the deal. The IAEA polices restrictions the deal placed on Iran's nuclear activities and reports quarterly. Haley said some of the questions she had were: "Are you looking at everything? Are you looking at those places where there has been covert activity in the past? Are you able to get access to these areas? Or are you being delayed? Are you being shut out from those things?" Under US law, the State Department must notify Congress every 90 days of Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal. The next deadline is October, and Trump has said he thinks by then the United States will declare Iran to be non-compliant. "We don't know if he's going to certify or decertify the deal," said Haley, adding that she would report back to Trump and the national security team. The US review of its policy toward Iran is also looking at Tehran's behavior in the Middle East, which Washington has said undermines US interests in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes the Iran nuclear deal is "one of the most important diplomatic achievements in our search for, for peace and stability," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday "Everyone involved needs to do its utmost to protect and support that agreement," Dujarric told reporters.

Iranian military sites asked, to be verified under nuclear deal, by US ambassador

&nbsp;

As 56 million Iranian&rsquo;s prepare to cast their ballots they face a critical choice i.e. to go for a more reformed globally engaged Iran or to go back into isolation. The choice of voters is also going to have a bearing on what sort of foreign policy is expected out of Tehran. The elections come at a very complex time for Iranian leadership as they face both domestic as well as external challenges.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

While the conservatives are highlighting the western non-action post the signing of the deal, the current Rouhani government has been trying hard to sell the economic benefits of the nuclear agreement with the permanent members of UN Security Council (P5+1). President Rouhani has succeeded in bringing Iran out of the isolation that it was under conservative President Ahmadinejad. The success of his approach can be displayed from the fact that Iran is at present one of the major regional players and party to solutions with respect to the situation in Syria and Yemen. The ideological support provided by Iran to the regime in Syria and Houthi rebels in Yemen has made their position indispensable at the regional power table.&nbsp;

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<h5>The ideological support provided by Iran to the regime in Syria and Houthi rebels in Yemen has made their position indispensable at the regional power table</h5>
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At the time of lifting of sanctions, Iran economy was reeling under pressure and needed doses of investment as well as access to international markets and financial institutions. Under the nuclear deal, over 90 per cent of nuclear-related sanctions were lifted. Among the most important sanctions lifted were secondary sanctions on the Central Bank and Iran&rsquo;s commercial banks, on selling and investing in oil as well as gas projects, on transportation including shipping lines and commercial aviation industry. The economy of Iran is now growing, and the regime has struck major deals with western companies in oil and gas sector as well as aviation sector, while its integration to the international financial system was restored on the day deal came into force.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The IMF&rsquo;s outlook had predicted GDP growth of 6.6 per cent in 2016-17 due to an increase in oil production, after facing a contraction of 2 per cent in 2015-16. Following the nuclear deal, Iran is now seeking investment in different sectors. On the other hand, these deals have made countries and companies think of resuming their commercial ties with Iran. But the elections are seen as a referendum on how President Rouhani has performed in the economic front after the nuclear agreement was signed.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Rouhani has steadied the Iranian economy and brought down inflation but unemployment is high and his opponents have questioned whether his administration has done enough to bring noticeable economic benefits. However, the uncertainty created by the election of President Trump and his comments on the nuclear deal has raised concerns about the future. In addition, the defeat of President Rouhani would deal a blow to the country&rsquo;s reformists and bring hardliners back in power. Rouhani&rsquo;s main challenger is the influential hardline politician Ebrahim Raisi, who has been touted as a frontrunner to succeed Supreme Leader Khamenei.&nbsp;

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<h5>If the conservatives win, it will be a blow to Indian interests in Chabahar port project, which has been languishing for years</h5>
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The outcome of the election is going to have a huge impact on regional power dynamics and how countries engage with Iran in the future. Though Iran is likely to continue with its pragmatic policy towards the US and the West in general, a conservative government would alienate Russia and give the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel more reason to push back against Iran&#39;s strategy in Iraq, Syria and the Gulf region. Therefore, these elections are hugely significant in shaping Tehran&rsquo;s foreign and domestic policy.

&nbsp;

Iran&rsquo;s election is also going to have a bearing on how India deals with the new government. If the conservatives win, it will be a blow to Indian interests in Chabahar port project, which has been languishing for years mostly due to various economic sanctions on Iran. Indian firms are still sceptical about investing or dealing with Iranian enterprises. Given the economic significance of Chabahar port, the elections could complicate and even jeopardise India&rsquo;s financial transactions and technology imports from the world, wherein countries like Japan and South Korea are expected to chip in. Chabahar has emerged as a pivotal node in India&rsquo;s outreach to its extended neighbourhood, particularly its Look West policy. India envisions to reach out to the Persian Gulf and Central Asia through the trade corridors.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As much as Iranians, for political and economic reasons, the world population from Tokyo to Washington DC is waiting with baited breath for the result. &nbsp;

The outcome of the election is going to have a huge impact on regional power dynamics and international engagement with Iran in the future

As 56 million Iranian’s prepare to cast their ballots they face a critical choice i.e. to go for a more reformed globally engaged Iran or to go back into isolation. The choice of voters is also going to have a bearing on what sort of foreign policy is expected out of Tehran. The elections come at a very complex time for Iranian leadership as they face both domestic as well as external challenges. While the conservatives are highlighting the western non-action post the signing of the deal, the current Rouhani government has been trying hard to sell the economic benefits of the nuclear agreement with the permanent members of UN Security Council (P5+1). President Rouhani has succeeded in bringing Iran out of the isolation that it was under conservative President Ahmadinejad. The success of his approach can be displayed from the fact that Iran is at present one of the major regional players and party to solutions with respect to the situation in Syria and Yemen. The ideological support provided by Iran to the regime in Syria and Houthi rebels in Yemen has made their position indispensable at the regional power table. The ideological support provided by Iran to the regime in Syria and Houthi rebels in Yemen has made their position indispensable at the regional power table × At the time of lifting of sanctions, Iran economy was reeling under pressure and needed doses of investment as well as access to international markets and financial institutions. Under the nuclear deal, over 90 per cent of nuclear-related sanctions were lifted. Among the most important sanctions lifted were secondary sanctions on the Central Bank and Iran’s commercial banks, on selling and investing in oil as well as gas projects, on transportation including shipping lines and commercial aviation industry. The economy of Iran is now growing, and the regime has struck major deals with western companies in oil and gas sector as well as aviation sector, while its integration to the international financial system was restored on the day deal came into force. The IMF’s outlook had predicted GDP growth of 6.6 per cent in 2016-17 due to an increase in oil production, after facing a contraction of 2 per cent in 2015-16. Following the nuclear deal, Iran is now seeking investment in different sectors. On the other hand, these deals have made countries and companies think of resuming their commercial ties with Iran. But the elections are seen as a referendum on how President Rouhani has performed in the economic front after the nuclear agreement was signed. Rouhani has steadied the Iranian economy and brought down inflation but unemployment is high and his opponents have questioned whether his administration has done enough to bring noticeable economic benefits. However, the uncertainty created by the election of President Trump and his comments on the nuclear deal has raised concerns about the future. In addition, the defeat of President Rouhani would deal a blow to the country’s reformists and bring hardliners back in power. Rouhani’s main challenger is the influential hardline politician Ebrahim Raisi, who has been touted as a frontrunner to succeed Supreme Leader Khamenei. If the conservatives win, it will be a blow to Indian interests in Chabahar port project, which has been languishing for years × The outcome of the election is going to have a huge impact on regional power dynamics and how countries engage with Iran in the future. Though Iran is likely to continue with its pragmatic policy towards the US and the West in general, a conservative government would alienate Russia and give the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel more reason to push back against Iran's strategy in Iraq, Syria and the Gulf region. Therefore, these elections are hugely significant in shaping Tehran’s foreign and domestic policy. Iran’s election is also going to have a bearing on how India deals with the new government. If the conservatives win, it will be a blow to Indian interests in Chabahar port project, which has been languishing for years mostly due to various economic sanctions on Iran. Indian firms are still sceptical about investing or dealing with Iranian enterprises. Given the economic significance of Chabahar port, the elections could complicate and even jeopardise India’s financial transactions and technology imports from the world, wherein countries like Japan and South Korea are expected to chip in. Chabahar has emerged as a pivotal node in India’s outreach to its extended neighbourhood, particularly its Look West policy. India envisions to reach out to the Persian Gulf and Central Asia through the trade corridors. As much as Iranians, for political and economic reasons, the world population from Tokyo to Washington DC is waiting with baited breath for the result.

The vote in Iran is crucial for the world, particularly India

Iran has called for a meeting of the commission overseeing the 2015 nuclear deal alleging violation of the agreement by the US.&nbsp;

The 2015 nuclear agreement signed with US and five other world powers grants Iran relief from economic sanctions in exchange of reducing its nuclear production.

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif asked for the meeting in a letter to European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, state agency IRNA reported.&nbsp;

The White House said bill increasing US sanctions against Iran for ten years will become law without outgoing President Barack Obama&#39;s signature.

However it will not impact international pact limiting Iran&#39;s nuclear programme.

In response, Iran ordered its scientists to build systems for nuclear-powered marine vessels.

Relations are already strained after US President-elect Donald Trump&#39;s promise to abolish the pact.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Tehran called for a meeting over alleged violation of the nuclear agreement by the US

Iran has called for a meeting of the commission overseeing the 2015 nuclear deal alleging violation of the agreement by the US. The 2015 nuclear agreement signed with US and five other world powers grants Iran relief from economic sanctions in exchange of reducing its nuclear production. Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif asked for the meeting in a letter to European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, state agency IRNA reported. The White House said bill increasing US sanctions against Iran for ten years will become law without outgoing President Barack Obama's signature. However it will not impact international pact limiting Iran's nuclear programme. In response, Iran ordered its scientists to build systems for nuclear-powered marine vessels. Relations are already strained after US President-elect Donald Trump's promise to abolish the pact. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Iran calls for nuclear deal powers meeting over US sanctions

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