Supreme Leader Warns to Reciprocate US Discard of Nuclear Deal

“We do not violate the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action also known as the nuclear deal), but if the opposite party violates it and tears it apart as the US presidential candidates state and threaten at present, then we will burn it,” Ayatollah Khamenei warned during his remarks at a meeting with the heads of the three branches of power, high-ranking officials and different government bodies and armed forces on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan here in Tehran on Tuesday.

The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s warning is deemed as a general message to the political brass in Washington, but seems to be more addressed to the US presidential candidate, Donald Trump. The totally estrange presidential nominee has repeatedly warned that he would tear apart and discard the nuclear deal with Iran on day one of office if he is ever elected, while his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton has said that she would remain loyal to the deal although she has vowed to be tough on Iran.

The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei further blasted the US for hypocrisy in return for Iran’s honesty, saying, “As regards the JCPOA, the opposite party has defied its duty that has been removing the sanctions, the problem with the banks has not yet been resolved, the oil tankers insurance is done at a limited scope, the crude revenues and our money that are in other countries are not given back to us and the Americans have not fulfilled a major part of their undertakings, while we have done our part and shut down the 20-percent enrichment at Fordo (nuclear enrichment facility) and Arak (heavy water reactor).”

Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei also warned that the hostilities between Tehran and Washington would not end as the US is resolved to topple the Islamic Republic. “It is wrong to assume that we can come along with the US, this is wrong and we cannot rely on illusions as their issue is with the life and essence of the Islamic Republic and this cannot be resolved through negotiations.”

Yet, Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei reiterated that the arrogant party seeking continued animosity is not Tehran, but Washington that wants regime change in Iran.

“Some imagine that hostilities are the result of our belligerence towards the US; (then if that’s true) what has the Islamic Republic done to France? Why did France play the bad cop in the nuclear talks and why are the Netherlands and Canada showing enmity (towards Iran),” the Supreme Leader asked.

The US has been lagging in implementation of the last July nuclear deal with Iran. Months after the implementation of the nuclear deal, Iran is complaining that the US has not shown its loyalty to the agreement in action.

Earlier today, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told a joint press conference with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini in Norway that the United States must do more to encourage banks to do business with Iran following the lifting of sanctions, Iran’s foreign minister said at the news conference.

“I believe the United States on paper has removed all the sanctions,” Zarif said.

Ever since five months ago when Iran accomplished its undertakings under the deal, the Iranian Leader has lashed out at the US for not remaining loyal to its undertakings on several occassions.

“The Americans did not act on what they promised in the nuclear accord (the JCPOA); they did not do what they should have done. According to Foreign Minister (Zarif), they brought something on the paper but prevented materialization of the objectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran through many diversionary ways,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, addressing a large group of people in the holy city of Mashhad, Northeastern Iran, in March.

“What a hue and cry did they launch in the case of the missiles: Why Iran has long-ranged missiles? Why they (Iranians) aim and point to the target so precisely? Why they (Iranians) tested and why you (we Iranians) do military exercise?” he added.

“The Americans and one of the regional countries launch wargames every now and then in the Persian Gulf, which is several thousands of kilometers away of their country, while they have no responsibility there. Iran carries out military exercise in its own security boundary and home,” Ayatollah Khamenei stated.

Late in March, Zarif said the US government is duty-bound to fulfill its undertakings as per the nuclear deal reached between Tehran and the world powers.

“It does not matter which political party takes the helm. The nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is Washington’s commitment, and it has nothing to do with who is in power at the White House,” Zarif said.

He noted that the baseless allegations made during the presidential elections campaign should never be taken seriously, as JCPOA is a commitment of the US government and it does not matter who will win the next presidential race.

The Iranian foreign minister reiterated that the US government has made commitments that it should undertake, adding, “Unfortunately, some presidential candidates are pursuing mischief by using the poisonous atmosphere created by the Zionist lobby in Washington.”

“With the serious follow-up of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the US government is obliged to execute its commitments not only in theory but in practice,” Zarif said.