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Iran nuclear deal: Trump decertifies Obama-era agreement and accuses Tehran of spreading 'chaos' Iran nuclear deal: Trump decertifies Obama-era agreement and accuses Tehran of spreading 'chaos'
(35 minutes later)
Donald Trump has struck a blow against the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement — in defiance of other world powers — by choosing not to certify that Tehran is complying with the deal. Donald Trump has struck a blow against the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement — in defiance of other world powers — by choosing not to certify that Tehran is complying with the deal. 
During a speech at the White House, Mr Trump accused the "fanatical regime" in Tehran of spreading "death, destruction and chaos around the globe" as he again called the nuclear pact "one of the worst" agreements the US has ever entered into.During a speech at the White House, Mr Trump accused the "fanatical regime" in Tehran of spreading "death, destruction and chaos around the globe" as he again called the nuclear pact "one of the worst" agreements the US has ever entered into.
However, he stopped short of scrapping the agreement altogether, saying he wanted his administration to work with Congress to address the "deal's many serious flaws". But if lawmakers fail to address his concerns, Mr Trump has threatened to ultimately terminate the Obama-era accord.  However, he stopped short of scrapping the agreement altogether, saying he wanted his administration to work with Congress and other nations to address the "deal's many serious flaws". 
He said the deal is merely a "temporary delay" on Iran's "path to nuclear weapons" and said that Iran had committed multiple violations of the deal and was not living up to its spirit.  "In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated," he warned. "It is under continuous review, and our participation can be cancelled by me, as President, at any time." 
Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Mr Trump said he wants to see action soon to fix the flaws he sees in the deal, adding that he could end the accord instantly. 
When asked why he did not choose to scrap the deal now, the President replied: "Because we'll see what happens over the next short period of time. And I can do that instantaneously. I like a two-step process much better."
European officials have categorically ruled out renegotiating the deal, but have said they share Mr Trump's concerns over Iran’s destabilising influence in the Middle East.
Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief and one of the deal’s chief negotiators, has said the agreement will remain valid regardless of Mr Trump's decision. 
Mr Trump on Friday said the deal is merely a "temporary delay" on Iran's "path to nuclear weapons", declaring that Iran had committed multiple violations of the agreement. 
"We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence," Mr Trump said."We will not continue down a path whose predictable conclusion is more violence," Mr Trump said.
Under the 2015 agreement with six nations – including the US, UK and France – Iran agreed to restrict its nuclear programme for at least 10 years in exchange for the loosening of economic sanctions that had crippled its economy. Under the 2015 agreement with six nations, Iran agreed to restrict its nuclear programme for at least 10 years in exchange for the loosening of economic sanctions that had crippled its economy. The signatories of the accord were the US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the EU. 
Mr Trump said the removal of sanctions was giving the Iranian regime an immediate financial boost, increasing its funds to support terrorism. Mr Trump said the removal of sanctions was giving the Iranian regime an immediate financial boost, increasing its funds to support terrorism. 
By decertifying the agreement, the President has started the clock on a 60-day congressional review of the deal.By decertifying the agreement, the President has started the clock on a 60-day congressional review of the deal.
The President is urging Congress to toughen requirements for Iran to continue to get relief from US sanctions. He also wants lawmakers to amend legislation to highlight troubling non-nuclear Iranian behaviour not covered by the deal. The President is urging Congress to toughen requirements for Iran to continue to get relief from US sanctions. He also wants lawmakers to amend legislation to highlight troubling non-nuclear Iranian behaviour not covered by the deal. 
Republican members of Congress were unanimously opposed to the agreement in 2015, but they have wavered since then on whether Mr Trump should enforce it. Republican members of Congress were unanimously opposed to the agreement in 2015, but they have wavered since then on whether Mr Trump should enforce it. 
Mr Trump's more confrontational strategy toward Iran is likely to complicate relations with European allies. Mr Trump's more confrontational strategy toward Iran is likely to complicate relations with European allies while strengthening ties with Israel.
This week, both UK Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron had tried to persuade Mr Trump to re-certify the deal. Ms May has called the agreement "vital", while Mr Macron has said it is "essential for peace".  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been vehemently opposed to the accord from the beginning and welcomed Mr Trump's "courageous" decision.
"I congratulate President Trump for his courageous decision today. He boldly confronted Iran's terrorist regime," the prime minister said in a video statement he released in English. 
But this week, both UK Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron had tried to persuade Mr Trump to re-certify the deal. Ms May has called the agreement "vital", while Mr Macron has said it is "essential for peace". 
International inspectors say Iran is in technical compliance with the accord. Meanwhile, Mr Trump says Tehran is in violation of the spirit of the agreement and has done nothing to rein in its ballistic missile programme or its financial and military support for Hezbollah and other extremist groups.International inspectors say Iran is in technical compliance with the accord. Meanwhile, Mr Trump says Tehran is in violation of the spirit of the agreement and has done nothing to rein in its ballistic missile programme or its financial and military support for Hezbollah and other extremist groups.
Mr Trump had already certified the agreement twice but was reluctant to do so a third time.  Mr Trump had already certified the agreement twice but was reluctant to do so a third time. 
John McLaughlin, a former acting CIA director under Republican President George W Bush, called the decertification of the Iran deal one of Mr Trump's "worst decisions".
"Feeds Iran hardliners, splits allies, shreds US credibility, roils congress, gift to Russia," he wrote on Twitter.