UN chief hopes Iran nuclear deal remains in place

NEW YORK – 14 October 2017: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly hopes the Iran nuclear deal will remain in place, after US President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the accord and said he might pull the US out.

Guterres has repeatedly said that the adoption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was a very important breakthrough to consolidate nuclear non-proliferation and advance global peace and security, Russia Today channel reported, quoting UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric as saying on Saturday.

US President Trump revealed on Friday that he will refuse to certify to Congress the nuclear deal with Iran, as part of broad new strategy against Tehran

The new strategy includes a diplomatic push to persuade US allies to negotiate a new agreement that would effectively supplement the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. He noted that Tehran has failed to honor the spirit of the deal and has committed "multiple violations" of the pact.

The agreement (JCPOA), was signed in 2015 by Iran and six powers comprising Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. The deal ensured the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program.