Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed on Tuesday a proposal for a new "Trump deal" aimed at resolving a nuclear row, saying it was a "strange" offer and criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump for always breaking promises.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has praised Trump as a great dealmaker, called on Tuesday for the president to replace Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers with his own new pact to ensure Tehran does not get an atomic weapon.
The American president said he agreed with Johnson that a "Trump deal" should replace the Iran nuclear deal.
But in a televised speech, Rouhani told Washington to return to the nuclear pact brokered by Barack Obama;s administration, which his successor Trump abandoned in 2018.
The agreement calls for the lifting of international sanctions on Iran in return for curbs to its nuclear program. Since quitting, Trump has reimposed sanctions on Iran that have crippled its economy.
Tehran says it wants to keep the agreement but cannot do so indefinitely if it receives none of the promised economic benefits.
It has gradually taken steps to reduce its compliance, which prompted Britain, France, and Germany to formally accuse it on Tuesday of violating the terms.
"This Mr. Prime Minister in London, I don't know how he thinks. He says let's put aside the nuclear deal and put the Trump plan in action," Rouhani said.
"If you take the wrong step, it will be to your detriment. Pick the right path. The right path is to return to the nuclear deal," he said.
Rouhani said Iran could reverse steps that exceeded restrictions in the agreement as soon as sanctions are lifted.
Britain, France, and Germany activated a dispute mechanism in the deal on Tuesday, which eventually could lead to the reimposing of UN sanctions. Iran called this step a "strategic mistake."
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emanuel Macron
(Photo: MCT)
The European powers said they were acting to avoid a crisis over nuclear proliferation adding to an escalating confrontation in the Middle East.
Rouhani criticized the Europeans for reneging on promises to protect Tehran's economy from U.S. sanctions.
Tensions have reached a new peak between the arch enemies since Washington killed an Iranian general in a drone strike in Baghdad on January 3.
Tehran responded a week ago by launching missiles at U.S. targets in Iraq.
No Americans were hurt, but hours later Iran shot down a Ukrainian civilian airliner in what its government has acknowledged as a tragic mistake.
Rouhani repeated Iran's longstanding position that peace can come to the Middle East only when the United States withdraws from the region.
"American soldiers today are not secure in the region ... We don't want there to be insecurity in the world. We want you to go from here, but not with war," said Rouhani.
"We want you to leave the region intelligently and it's to your benefit."