Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday hinted a swift Iranian response in less than a week should any party decide to withdraw from the nuclear deal.
Rouhani warned that although Iran “will not be the first to pull out,” he implicitly vowed that the US administration will face deep regrets should President Donald Trump announce Washington's withdrawal on May 12.
Iran has warned that it would ramp up its nuclear program if the JCPOA collapsed, to achieve a more advanced level than before the deal. Rouhani was speaking as Tehran marked National Nuclear Technology Day and unveiled what it said were its latest nuclear achievements including a nuclear battery and centrifuges for the oil industry.
Rouhani sent a message to nuclear deal critics at home, reaffirming that the government has not stopped developing the nuclear program under the influence of the Vienna agreement signed between Tehran and the six major groups in July 2015.
“Sanctions will not overpower the Iranian people,” he added.
“Achievements carry many messages to those who believe that our nuclear movement was stopped during the 12th or 11th government (during Rouhani’s term) or has been slowed down,” he said at the launching of 83 projects under Iran's nuclear program.
“We openly declare to the Iranian people that the nuclear industry is going on with greater speed, accuracy and capability,” Rouhani addressed the crowd.
Rouhani accused the Trump administration of attempting to undermine the nuclear deal for over 15 months, accusing it of taking steps which possibly violate the nuclear agreement.
More so, Rouhani implied that the US president's disdainful attitude toward the nuclear deal was a testament to the success of his administration's policy to maintain the deal.
Rouhani declared attachment to two powers—one being foreign policy, labeled as ‘soft’, and the second being a ‘hardline’ approach, hinting Iran's promotion of nuclear activities and weapons programs.
He defended foreign policy, especially in terms of signing the nuclear agreement and negotiations with Western countries, pointing out that it is another form of power in Iran.
He said strengthening his country's capabilities “means the empowering legitimate and useful means—not resorting to force based on threats and aggression.”
Rouhani responded to criticism of Iran's foreign policy, saying his government would continue with its diplomatic track quickly.
The president blamed the hardline approach for yielding highly expensive costs for Iran, saying that “diplomacy lifts barriers and reduces the price of access to technology.”
Rouhani also said that his country has completed “120 important achievements” after the nuclear deal came into force in January 2016. According to Rouhani, Tehran has won the support of China, Russia and European countries in developing their nuclear capabilities, including Iran's entry into the nuclear trade market.
