TEHRAN: Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said that his administration and country will show a “unified” response to a breach of the 2015 landmark nuclear deal with world powers.

“The world should know that any breach of the deal will face a unified reaction of the Iranian nation and government.” The Saturday remarks by the Iranian president came during the swearing in ceremony for his second term as president.

Iran’s state TV reported that more than 130 high-ranking officials from various countries and international organisations attended the ceremony in Tehran. Among them was EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who coordinates follow-up of Iran’s nuclear deal.

It was the first time in Iran’s history that a large number of foreign officials attended the president’s inauguration ceremony.

“Those who intend to tear down the deal, should know that they are tearing down their political life,” said Rouhani, without elaborating.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly described the nuclear deal as “bad” and during his campaign vowed to dismantle it.

Trump signed a bill on Wednesday that imposes mandatory penalties on those involved in Iran’s ballistic missile programme and anyone who does business with them.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2017