Iran threatens to leave NPT if nuclear deal scrapped

By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

ISTANBUL (AA) – A top Iranian official on Tuesday threatened to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if the U.S. pulled out from a 2015 nuclear deal.

"Should the U.S. scraps the deal, Iran's unexpected moves are among the plans," Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in statements cited by ISNA news agency before departing for Russia.

The nuclear agreement allowed Iran to pursue a nuclear energy program -- for strictly civilian use -- in return for the lifting of longstanding western sanctions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal and re-impose economic sanctions on Iran.

Shamkhani said Washington didn't stick to the nuclear agreement – signed between Iran and both the U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China and Germany.

"The countries that have signed the NPT can easily go back on the deal if it conflicts with the national interest. This is Iran's probable plan," he said.

Shamkhani added that Tehran could restart nuclear activities at will and no country could cross it's "redlines".