Rouhani: Iran could quit nuclear deal if U.S. imposes new sanctions

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's newly re-elected President Hassan Rouhani has threatened to quit the 2015 nuclear deal "within hours" if the United States continues to impose new sanctions on the country, CNN reports.

Rouhani issued the warning in a televised speech to Iran's parliament Tuesday, August 15, kicking off a vote-of-confidence session for nominated ministers of his second-term cabinet.

"Iran could quit the nuclear deal within hours if the U.S. imposes more sanctions," Rouhani said, according to Iran's state-run Press TV.

"Iran has remained and will remain committed to the deal, though any breach of promise by other parties will receive appropriate responses," he added, according to Iran's semi-official MEHR news agency.

He also suggested the U.S. was an unreliable partner, according to MEHR, citing the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and new restrictions imposed by the U.S. on Cuba.

Rouhani was a key architect of the 2015 nuclear agreement with the United States, the European Union and other partners. The deal led to the lifting of most international sanctions against Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

Last month, the U.S. announced new sanctions against entities and individuals with ties to Iran, a day after certifying that the Iranian government was in compliance with the nuclear agreement.

In response, Iran's parliament passed a bill Sunday outlining plans to "counter U.S. terrorist measures in the region," according to Iran's state-run Press TV.