Iranian politicians reacted with rage after President Trump announced the U.S. would be pulling out of the nuclear deal struck between the Obama administration and Tehran in 2015.
In announcing America’s withdrawal from the deal, Trump said that Iran will now be subject to the “highest level” of sanctions, which had been previously lifted in exchange for Iran’s promise to curb its nuclear-weapons program. The president’s decision disappointed the leaders of France, Germany, and the U.K., who had lobbied the U.S. to stay in the deal, believing that it was the best way to make sure Iran did not start building a nuclear arsenal.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, ranted against the White House’s move early Wednesday morning on Twitter, calling Trump’s decision “shallow and ludicrous,” and warning that the president’s “corpse will also be worm food.”
Last night you heard the shallow statements Trump made. There were several lies in his speech. He threatened the Iranian govt. and the Iranian nation, claiming he would do one thing or another. On behalf of Iranian nation: “Mr. Trump, you couldn't lift a finger if you tried.”
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 9, 2018
Last night you heard the shallow statements Trump made. There were several lies in his speech. He threatened the Iranian govt. and the Iranian nation, claiming he would do one thing or another. On behalf of Iranian nation: “Mr. Trump, you couldn't lift a finger if you tried.”
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 9, 2018
Members of the Iranian parliament, meanwhile, burned an American flag and chanted “death to America” during a parliamentary session.