Iran has a post-deal plan, warns Rouhani

With days to go until Trump's deadline, orders have been issued to Tehran's atomic energy body, President Rouhani said.

2 min read

06 May, 2018

President Hassan Rouhani says America is making a mistake if it leaves the deal [Getty]

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said his country has plans in place should the US exit the nuclear deal.

"We have plans to resist any decision by Trump on the nuclear accord," Rouhani said in a speech on Sunday aired on state television.

"Orders have been issued to our atomic energy organization ... and to the economic sector to confront America's plots against our country," Rouhani said, speaking to a rally in northeast Iran.

"America is making a mistake if it leaves the nuclear accord," he added.

His counterpart Donald Trump has threatened to leave the pact Iran made with world powers to limit its nuclear programme in return for lifting of economic sanctions.

Trump says the deal is "rubbish", while European leaders have been battling to salvage the deal.

The US leader has said unless European allies rectify "flaws" in Tehran's nuclear agreement by May 12 he will refuse to extend US sanctions relief for Iran.

Iran, which according to the UN atomic watchdog has been abiding by the deal since it came into force in January 2016, has repeatedly ruled out any changes to the agreement.

"We will not negotiate with anyone about our weapons and defenses, and we will make and store as many weapons, facilities and missiles as we need," Rouhani reiterated on Sunday.