U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he is withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is "a mistake," Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday.
"You heard last night that the president of America made some silly and superficial comments," Khamenei said. "He had maybe more than 10 lies in his comments. He threatened the regime and the people, saying you're doing this and that. Mr. Trump, I tell you on behalf of the Iranian people: You've made a mistake."
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that his country would remain committed to the deal despite the U.S. withdrawal.
"If we achieve the deal's goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place. By exiting the deal, America has officially undermined its commitment to an international treaty," Rouhani said in a televised speech.
"I have ordered the Foreign Ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China, and Russia in coming weeks. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPOA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal would remain."
The nuclear deal, formally titled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was signed in 2015 between Iran, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council – the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France – and Germany, a group termed the P5+1.
The other powers involved expressed regret at Trump's decision to exit the accord, concerned that the move will undermine efforts to stop the spread of atomic weapons.
The P5+1 had urged Trump not to undermine the Security Council-endorsed agreement so that they would be able to remain part of it.
"Together, we emphasize our continuing commitment to the deal. This agreement remains important for our shared security," French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May said in a joint statement Tuesday.
They called on Washington to "ensure that the structures of the agreement can remain intact, and to avoid taking action which obstructs its full implementation by all other parties to the deal."
'U.S. violated international law'
Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow was "deeply disappointed" by Trump's decision to abandon the deal, calling this a "blatant violation" of international law.
The ministry issued a statement sayingf that the U.S. decision "to unilaterally refuse to carry out commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" was "trampling on the norms of international law."
Turkey was also critical of the move.
"The unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear deal is a decision that will cause instability and new conflicts. Turkey will continue to resolutely oppose all types of nuclear arms," said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Despite longstanding reciprocal distrust, Turkey and Iran are striving to develop pragmatic relations with each other, particularly over Syria, which borders both countries.
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini expressed concern about Trump's suggestion that new sanctions may be slapped on Iran.
"I am particularly worried by the announcement tonight of new sanctions," Mogherini told reporters in Rome. She said she would consult with Europe's partners about any new measures "to assess their implications."
"In any case, the European Union is determined to act in accordance with its security interests and to protect its economic investments," she said.
In a message directed to Iran, Mogherini said: "Do not let anyone dismantle this agreement. It is one of the biggest achievements diplomacy has ever delivered, and we have built this together."
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on the remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal to abide by their commitments in the wake of the U.S. exit.
Guterres said in a statement that he was "deeply concerned" by Trump's decision.
"It is essential that all concerns regarding the implementation of the plan be addressed through the mechanisms established in the JCPOA. Issues not directly related to the JCPOA should be addressed without prejudice to preserving the agreement and its accomplishments," Guterres said.
Iran heading for political power struggle?
Trump's decision sets the stage for a resurgence of political infighting within Iran's complex power structure, Iranian officials said Tuesday. It could tip the balance of power in favor of hard-liners looking to constrain Rouhani's ability to open up to the West.
"They will blame Rouhani. They will continue their shenanigans at home and abroad. And they will have the U.S. to blame for the failure of the economy," said Abbas Milani, director of the Iranian Studies program at Stanford University.
Rouhani assured ordinary Iranians, frustrated by high unemployment and stagnant living standards, that Trump's decision would have no impact on Iran's oil-reliant economy.
"Our heroic people will not be affected by this psychological attack. Iran's economic progress will continue. Our people should not be worried at all," he said.
Iran's ruling elite fears the revival of anti-government protests in January that revealed the establishment was vulnerable to popular anger fueled by economic hardship. At least 21 people were killed in the protests.
Ayatollah Khamenei, whose hostility to Washington is the glue that holds together Iran's faction-ridden leadership, has previously said that Iran would "shred" the deal if the U.S. pulled out of it.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tuesday that "in response to U.S. persistent violations and unlawful withdrawal from the nuclear deal, [and] as instructed by President Rouhani, I will spearhead a diplomatic effort to examine whether remaining JCPOA participants can ensure its full benefits for Iran. The outcome will determine our response."
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said Trump's decision was a violation that would isolate the United States, state television reported on Wednesday.
"Trump's abandoning of the nuclear deal was a diplomatic show. Iran has no obligation to honor its commitments under the current situation. It is a threat to peace and security. ... I am not sure whether the European signatories of the deal will fulfill their promises," he said.
Larijani said Trump was not fit for his job, saying, "Trump does not have the mental capacity to deal with complex issues."
