Iran Says US Withdrawal from JCPOA Not that Simple

Speaking at a weekly press conference on Monday, Bahram Qassemi said the JCPOA -the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) – has its own specifics and it is not possible to easily withdraw from it.

Though Donald Trump has always talked about a US exit from the nuclear accord since taking office, such a withdrawal would not be simple, he said.

He added that “Iran’s measure (against such a move) will be painful for the US and make them (Americans) regret it.”

Washington will have to pay a heavy price for walking away from the deal, Qassemi said, stressing that the move would add to international mistrust of the US government.

Iran will not be the first side to violate the JCPOA, the spokesman reiterated, but made it clear that Tehran would make the necessary decisions if the nuclear deal has no benefits.

The comments came a few days before the US president’s upcoming decision about Washington’s commitment to the JCPOA.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that the US will face a “historic regret” should it decide to withdraw from the nuclear agreement.

Since the accord between Iran and the six world powers was signed in Vienna in July 2015, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly confirmed Iran’s compliance with its commitments.