Iran’s president: Trump can’t tear up nuclear deal

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday blasted Donald Trump for wanting to abolish the 2015 nuclear agreement, saying he wouldn’t allow the president-elect to rip up the deal.

“[Trump] wants to do many things, but none of his actions would affect us,” Rouhani said during a speech at the University of Tehran, according to Reuters.

“Do you think the United States can rip up the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal]? Do you think we and our nation will let him do that?” Rouhani said. 

The deal negotiated between the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany with Iran last year is designed to lift economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for access and supervision for the country’s nuclear program.

The agreement also attempts to ensure that Iran can only use their nuclear capabilities as a source of energy.

Rouhani on Tuesday also criticized Congress for passing legislation extending the Iran Sanctions Act for 10 years, making it easier for sanctions on Iran to be reimposed.

“If the Iran Sanctions Act is carried out, it will be a clear and obvious violation of the agreement and will be met with a very harsh response from us,” Rouhani said, according to The New York Times.

During his speech, Rouhani also reflected on the economic implications of the deal and addressed critics who believe that the agreement does not go far enough in ensuring prosperity of the nation.

“We took no step in the issue of the nuclear agreement without consulting the supreme leader,” he said, referencing Iran’s main political figure, Ayatollah Khamenei.

Trump harshly criticized the nuclear agreement during his campaign, vowing in March to “dismantle the disastrous deal with Iran.”