Rouhani fights back at Trump over nuclear deal

United Nations Sep 21 (IANS) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his country will preserve an international deal on Iran s nuclear program but decisive response would be made to possible violation by the US.

"I declare before you that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not be the first country to violate the agreement. But it will respond decisively and resolutely to its violation by any party " Rouhani told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday Xinhua news agency reported. The statement was in a clear response to US President Donald Trump s threat that Washington may pull out of the deal spearheaded by his predecessor Barack Obama. The deal was reached in July 2015 between Tehran and the six world powers of Britain China France Germany Russia and the US. "It will be a great pity if this agreement were to be destroyed by rogue newcomers to the world of politics " said Rouhani throwing the word "rogue" back to Trump who on Tuesday called Iran a "rogue" state and the Iran nuclear deal "an embarrassment". Rouhani said Trump s "ignorant absurd and hateful rhetoric filled with ridiculously baseless allegations" and was unfit to be heard at the United Nations which was established to promote peace and respect between nations. He reiterated that the defense capabilities of Iran including its missiles are solely defensive deterrence and that his country had never intended to acquire nuclear weapons. --IANS pgh/