UN chief says don't harm Iran nuclear deal over unrelated issues
UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that any issues not directly related to the Iran nuclear deal "should be addressed without prejudice to preserving the agreement," his spokesman said amid US concerns with Tehran.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that European allies and Congress have to work with him to fix "the disastrous flaws" in the nuclear pact or face a US exit. Trump wants it strengthened with a separate agreement within 120 days.
Trump also views Iran as a rising threat in the Middle East and the United States has accused Tehran of violating UN resolutions by supplying weapons to Houthi rebels in Yemen. Iran has denied supplying the Houthis.
Most UN and Western sanctions on Iran were lifted under the nuclear deal. However, Iran is still subject to a UN arms embargo and other restrictions, which are not technically part of the nuclear deal.
"The (nuclear deal) constitutes a major achievement of nuclear non-proliferation and diplomacy, and has contributed to regional and international peace and security," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on the second anniversary of the implementation of the deal between Iran and key world powers.
Guterres called for concerns relating to the implementation of the nuclear deal "to be addressed through the mechanisms established by the agreement," Dujarric said.
