A new episode of war of words is being waged between Tehran and Washington over the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). A US-proposed resolution formally discussed at the UN Security Council on Tuesday is now at the center of the soaring tensions.
The proposal aims to bring the council members on board to indefinitely extend a contentious arms embargo on Iran, which will be effectively expired under the JCPOA and UN Resolution 2231 in October. Reacting to the US plan and the council discussions, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani issued a fresh warning to the White House. Rouhani said his country will not allow the US government to deal a “political blow” to the accord, and any such move will be met with a “firm response.” He also acknowledged the economic damage inflicted on Iran after the US departure from the JCPOA in May 2018.