Iran ‘completely ready’ to restore nuke program — Rouhani

Iran’s president says the Islamic Republic could restore elements of its nuclear program that were halted under its landmark deal if world powers that backed the agreement don’t live up to their end of the bargain.

President Hassan Rouhani makes the remarks televised on state TV on Wednesday, a day ahead of the one-year anniversary of the deal between Tehran and the United States and other world powers. The agreement called for caps on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Rouhani hails the nuclear deal as widely beneficial, saying it promotes peace and stability and that violating it “will harm everyone.”

But he also assures Iranians that Iran is “completely ready” and able to restore its nuclear program quickly if other parties violate the deal.

— AP