Iran vows ‘unified’ response to breach of nuclear deal

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said that his administration and country will show a “unified” response to a breach of the 2015 landmark nuclear deal with world powers.

“The world should know that any breach of the deal will face a unified reaction of the Iranian nation and government.”

The Saturday remarks by the Iranian president came during the swearing in ceremony for his second term as president.

Iran’s state TV reported that more than 130 high-ranking officials from various countries and international organizations attended the ceremony in Tehran. Among them was EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who co-ordinates follow-up of Iran’s nuclear deal.

It was the first time in Iran’s history that a large number of foreign officials attended the president’s inauguration ceremony.

“Those who intend to tear down the deal, should know that they are tearing down their political life,” said Rouhani, without elaborating.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly described the nuclear deal as “bad” and during his campaign vowed to dismantle it.

Trump signed a bill Wednesday that imposes mandatory penalties on those involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program and anyone who does business with them.

It would also apply terrorism sanctions to Iran’s prestigious Revolutionary Guard and enforce an arms embargo. Iran has vowed to respond if the bill becomes law.

However, Rouhani said his administration will maintain its “moderate” behaviour in response to any verbal challenge.

“We prefer peace to war and reform to rigidness,” said Rouhani.

Rouhani, 68, a moderate cleric who secured re-election on May 19, promised that his country will pursue a “path of coexistence and interaction with the world.”

He vowed that in his second term in office, Iran will “insist on constructive engagement with the world more than before.”

Rouhani was first elected in 2013 with nearly 51 per cent of the vote.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei formally endorsed him for his second term as president on Thursday. Rouhani has to announce his new cabinet members to Parliament within 14 days. It is expected that he will do this on Tuesday.