Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has threatened to quit the 2015 nuclear accord should the United States impose additional sanctions.
“Iran could quit the nuclear deal within hours if the US imposes more sanctions,” said Rouhani, as reported by CNN on Tuesday.
Rouhani, who was reelected earlier this year, also reportedly said his nation is “committed to the deal,” but will provide “appropriate responses” should any other parties violate the accord.
He also noted that withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and new restrictions on Cuba made the U.S. seem unreliable.
{mosads}The leader’s comments come after Congress last month passed new legislation imposing sanctions on Iran for its ballistic missile development.
The comments also follow the U.S. Navy’s Sunday encounter with an Iranian drone for the second time in a week, which a U.S. military spokesman slammed in a statement.
Rouhani was instrumental in the crafting of the 2015 agreement with the U.S., European Union and other world powers. The deal led to most international sanctions against Iran being lifted if they would slow their nuclear program.
The Trump administration last month said it would certify that Iran was in compliance with the nuclear deal.