Supreme leader: Iran will ‘shred’ nuclear deal if US backs out

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, on Wednesday reportedly said his nation will “shred” the nuclear accord should the United States get rid of the agreement.

“I don’t want to waste my time on answering the rants and whoppers of the brute (U.S.) president,” the supreme leader said, as reported by Reuters, which cited Iran’s state television.

“Trump’s stupidity should not distract us from America’s deceitfulness. … If the U.S. tears up the deal, we will shred it,” he said.

{mosads}Khamenei’s comments come after President Trump last week announced that he would not recertify Iran’s compliance in the accord, though he did not pull out of the pact, which provided Tehran with sanctions relief in exchange for curbs to its nuclear program. The decision allows Congress 60 days to reinstate sanctions on Iran, though Trump in the announcement did not call on lawmakers to do so.

The supreme leader also called on allies in Europe to “stand against” the U.S. decision.

“European states stressed their backing for the deal and condemned Trump … We welcomed this, but it is not enough to ask Trump not to rip up the agreement. Europe needs to stand against practical measures (taken) by America,” he said.