Iran says will burn nuclear deal if next U.S. president scraps itJune 15, 2016 - 11:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's top leader said Tuesday, June 14 that if the next U.S. president tears up the nuclear deal, Iran will "light it on fire," the Associated Press reports. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's remarks appeared to be aimed at presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, who has criticized the deal and vowed to renegotiate it. Khamenei referred to a "U.S. presidential candidate threatening to tear the deal up." "We do not violate the deal, but if the other party violates it, if they tear the agreement up, we will light it on fire," Khamenei said in remarks published on his official website. Khamenei has the final say on all major issues in Iran. He said Iran has fulfilled its obligations under the agreement but that the U.S. was dragging its feet on lifting sanctions in the banking and insurance sectors, and on unfreezing Iranian assets. "The Americans have not carried out an important part of their commitments," he said, according to AP. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif plans to meet with Secretary of State John Kerry in Germany later this week to discuss the implementation of the deal, which went into effect in January. Khamenei reiterated his opposition to a wider rapprochement with the U.S. and other Western nations, saying they remain hostile toward Iran. "It is a wrong idea that we can reach a compromise with the U.S.," he said. "The main argument is about the existence of the Islamic Republic, and this cannot be resolved through negotiation." Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive” At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments. OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |