Iran to remain in nuclear deal, despite US withdrawal: Rouhani

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that his country would remain committed to the 2015 nuclear deal despite US President Donald Trump's annoucement to withdraw and reimpose sanctions. 

"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," he said.

Rouhani called Trump's decision "illegal" and an act of "psychological warfare, warning that Iran could resume uranium enrichment "without limit" in response to the US withdrawal. 

"I have instructed the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation to take the necessary measures for future actions so that if necessary we can resume industrial enrichment without limit," he said on state television. 

"We will wait several weeks before applying this decision. We will speak with our friends and allies, the other members of the nuclear agreement," he said.

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In response to Trump's announcement, France, Germany and Britain said they remain committed to implementing the 2015 nuclear deal. French President Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel both visited Washington in recent weeks, in part to urge Trump to preserve the accord.  

"Our governments remain committed to ensuring the agreement is upheld, and will work with all the remaining parties to the deal to ensure this remains the case including through ensuring the continuing economic benefits to the Iranian people that are linked to the agreement," said a joint statement by the three European countries.

In addition, China, Russia and the European Union all strongly opposed Trump's Tuesday decision.

Also on Tuesday, US President Barack Obama made a rare public criticism of his successor, saying Trump's decision is "so misguided".

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