Iran Warns EU Not to Follow US Lead on Nuke Deal

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned European powers against following in the footsteps of US President Donald Trump by withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear accord. “I am emphasizing that if the Europeans make a mistake and violate the deal, they will be responsible for the consequences of their actions,” Rouhani said. The declaration comes a week after Britain, France and Germany – which along with Russia and China are the remaining parties to the agreement – triggered a dispute resolution mechanism in response to Iranian violations. The anticipated months-long mediation process could lead to the “snap back” of international sanctions on the Islamic Republic, a prospect Tehran said could prompt it to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. While Rouhani on Wednesday claimed that his country had never, and would never, pursue the acquisition of nuclear weapons, Iranian leaders recently announced they would no longer abide by any of the multilateral deal’s restrictions on uranium enrichment.