In response to the killing of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani, the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that it will no longer abide by any terms set forth in the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. Trump has called the nuclear deal the "stupidest deal of all time" and already withdrew the U.S. from the accord back in May 2018.
On Sunday, Iran stated that it will no longer honor limits placed on their nuclear enrichment levels and materials, but did say the country would continue working with the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency and would be willing to return to the nuclear deal if the United States lifted economic sanctions. The U.S. reimposed economic sanctions on Iran in Nov. 2018.
Iran announced its fifth and final step in reducing commitments to nuclear deal; Will no longer limit its enrichment material or levels. But will continue working with UN nuclear watchdog IAEA and is still willing to return to the nuclear deal if US removes sanctions. #Iran https://t.co/DGbbfUv2fd
— Negar Mortazavi (@NegarMortazavi) January 5, 2020
President Trump called the nuclear deal with Iran "a horrible, one sided deal that should have never been reached," adding "it didn't bring peace and it never will." Trump also warned Iran the U.S. "will not be held hostage by nuclear blackmail" and vowed the U.S. will "no longer make empty threats."
In response to Trump's withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, several U.S. allies in the Middle East celebrated the news.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said President Trump demonstrated "courageous leadership" in his decision to withdraw from the agreement. "The deal didn't push war further away," the Israeli leader said. "It actually brought it closer. The deal didn't reduce Iran's aggression, it dramatically increased it. We see this across the entire Middle East."
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.