Middle East

Iran Warns US: Stay In The Nuclear Deal Or 'Face Severe Consequences'

Iran's president said his government will "react firmly" if the U.S. does not "live up to [its] commitments" under the agreement.

Iran Warns US: Stay In The Nuclear Deal Or 'Face Severe Consequences'
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SMS

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned the Trump administration on Tuesday to remain in the 2015 nuclear deal or "face severe consequences."

In a televised speech, Rouhani said the "Iranian government will react firmly" if the U.S. does not "live up to [its] commitments" under the agreement. 

The declaration comes as the May 12 deadline approaches for President Donald Trump to make a decision on whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran.

France, the U.K., Germany, Russia, China, the U.S. and Iran signed the deal in 2015. It puts restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions.

Trump says the current restrictions aren't tough enough on Iran's ballistic missiles development and expansionist activities in the region. Those issues weren't part of the original agreement, and all six other countries have rejected the changes. But Trump's said he'll pull out of the deal if it isn't "fixed."

He's expected to discuss the Iran deal with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also expected to urge Trump to stay in the deal when she visits the White House on Friday.