Iran will ‘shred’ nuclear deal if US quits it – Ali Khamenei

Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, said on Wednesday Tehran would “shred” the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers if the U. S. pulled out, state TV reported.

Mr. Khamenei spoke five days after U.S. President Donald Trump adopted a harsh new approach to Iran by refusing to certify its compliance with the deal, reached under Mr. Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, and saying he might ultimately terminate it.

The move put Washington at odds with other parties to the accord, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union, who say Washington cannot unilaterally cancel a multilateral accord enshrined by a UN resolution.

Mr. Khamenei, Iran’s highest authority, welcomed their support but said it was not sufficient.
“Europe must stand against practical measures (taken) by America,” he said.
He said if Mr. Trump ditched the deal, “Iran will shred it”.

Mr. Khamenei also said Iran was determined to continue its disputed ballistic missile program despite the pressure from Europe and the United States to suspend it.

Tehran has said it is developing missiles solely for defensive purposes.

Mr. Khamenei said: “they must avoid interfering in our defence programme.

“They (Europeans) ask why does Iran have missiles. Why do you have missiles yourselves? Why do you have nuclear weapons?

“We do not think it is acceptable for the Europeans to join America in its bullying.”

(Reuters)