BEIRUT: Iran will reciprocate if the US imposes new sanctions on it, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday according to state media, casting further doubt over the outlook for the 2015 Iran nuclear accord.
The US House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to slap new sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea, although it was unclear how quickly the bill would make its way to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign into law or veto.
State media quoted Rouhani as citing a verse from the Qur鈥檃n saying: 鈥淚f the enemy puts part of their promises underfoot then we will also put part of it underfoot. And if they put all of their promises underfoot then we will put promises underfoot.鈥�
But he added: 鈥淭he Qur鈥檃n also advises that if enemies are really pursuing peace and want to put enmity aside and act appropriately toward you, then you should do the same.鈥�
He said that the Parliament would take the initial steps in responding to any US moves and that any necessary further steps would also be pursued.
On Tuesday, Trump issued a veiled threat against Iran, warning it to adhere to the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal it signed together with world powers or else face 鈥渂ig, big problems.鈥�
A week after certifying Iran as complying with the agreement negotiated by Democratic President Barack Obama, Trump has made it clear that he remains extremely wary of Tehran.
The Iranian side appears equally wary of Washington, with a senior Revolutionary Guard commander issuing a similar threat in return on Wednesday.
鈥淭he Trump government, more than before, should be cautious and precise with their military approach in the Islamic revolution environment,鈥� Brig. Gen. Masoud Jazayeri, deputy chief of staff of Iran鈥檚 armed forces was quoted by the Tasnim news site as saying on Wednesday.
鈥淲e will confront any American mischief with a response that will make them sorry,鈥� he said.
The head of the Guards was quoted as saying last week that Washington should move its bases and avoid 鈥渕iscalculations鈥� over new sanctions against Tehran. The US has bases in Qatar and Kuwait across the Gulf from Iran, while the US Fifth Fleet is based in nearby Bahrain.