WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump announced Friday he will decertify Iran's compliance with an international nuclear agreement, claiming that the Islamic republic is not living up to the spirit of the deal.
Trump stopped short of pulling out of the deal, however, giving Congress sixty days to decide whether to re-impose sanctions on Iran.
'History has shown that the longer we ignore a threat, the more dangerous that threat becomes,' Trump said in remarks from the White House.
He added, 'We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence, more terror and the very real threat of Iran's nuclear breakout.'
Trump suggested Congress needs to amend the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act to establish a series of benchmarks that could automatically restore sanctions.
'In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated,' Trump said. 'It is under continuous review and our participation can be canceled by me, as president, at any time.'
The president was harshly critical of the Iranian regime for its continued ballistic missile development and proliferation and for providing material and financial support for terrorists.
Trump also announced that the U.S. is imposing sanctions on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a military unit loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The decision on the nuclear deal is part of the administration's new for strategy for Iran the White House said is focused on neutralizing the regime's destabilizing influence and constraining its aggression.
Trump was critical of the agreement with Iran throughout the presidential campaign and on Friday reiterated his claim that it was 'one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into.'
(Photo: Michel Vadon)
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