Iran to 'Respond Harshly' to Any Delay in Implementation of Nuclear Deal

Iran will take drastic measures in case of any delays in implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal by the world powers, President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In January, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified Iran’s compliance with the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action JCPOA, reached with international mediators to ensure the peaceful nature of the country's nuclear program. The confirmation led to the lifting of UN, US and EU sanctions linked to Tehran's nuclear program.

The Iranian authorities have repeatedly said that the country's banking and financial sphere was still facing some difficulties despite the removal of sanctions. According to the officials in Tehran, the United States was to blame for these difficulties.

"If we see some slowness of the opposite side, or any deviations in implementation of their obligations, we will have to respond harshly," Rouhani said at a governmental meeting as quoted by Iran's state broadcaster IRIB.

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met his US counterpart John Kerry in New York City. Following the meeting, Zarif said that the sides had managed to reach some progress on a number of key issues connected to the implementation of the JCPOA. The next meeting of the top diplomats is scheduled for April 22.