Iran supreme leader warns US against any 'wrong moves'
Ayatollah Khamenei cautions Trump administration, saying Iran will 'respond strongly' to effort to cancel or alter deal; agreement 'benefits security, stability, development in region and world', says President Rouhani; US nevertheless sanctions Iranian persons and companies.
"The Iranian nation is standing firm and any wrong move by the domineering regime regarding the (nuclear accord) will face the reaction of the Islamic Republic," state television quoted Khamenei as saying.
The warnings from the Iranian leader come days after US President Donald Trump claimed Iran violated the agreement's spirit. "We are not going to stand for what they are doing," Trump said.
To that end, last week the United States sanctioned seven Iranian citizens and seven Iranian companies, while easing off other sanctions, in accordance with the nuclear agreement.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Washington is still working to develop its policy on Iran and will consider the wider threat it poses beyond its nuclear capabilities. "No decision has yet been made," he clarified.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, meanwhile, said Sunday the nuclear agreement between Iran and the superpowers was intended to safeguard the peace and stability of both the region and the world.
"Today, there is a consensus in the world that the agreement benefits security, stability and development in the region and the world," Rouhani said before embarking for New York to participate in the United Nations' General Assembly.
Using some flowery language, Rouhani likened global attitudes towards the nuclear agreement to a dinner party. "The opponents of the agreement are restricted to two or three countries, including some in the US, who feel cheated. They believe that a feast has been set out, but that they are deprived of going to the table and having something. This is while they can also choose the right path, enter the room and go to the table; that's fine with us," he said.
Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, set to take place Monday evening in New York, is expected to focus mostly on the Iranian threat.
Netanyahu will present Israel's position to Trump, according to which the US must work to cancel the nuclear deal with Iran or alternatively make significant changes to it.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
