Iran announces withdrawal from nuclear deal, Pope Francis calls for dialogue between conflicting parties

(Patria) – Iran will no longer abide by the terms of the so-called 2015 nuclear deal, Iranian state television reported, writes Euronews.

This news was published on Sunday evening after Iranian officials announced they would take even harsher steps regarding the killing of General Qassem Soleimani on Friday in Baghdad. The news quotes a statement from the administration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that the country will no longer adhere to restrictions on uranium enrichment, quantities, as well as research and development of the nuclear program.

Iranian General Esmail Ghaani, who replaced Soleimani as head of the Quds Force, vowed revenge on Sunday.

Somewhat earlier on Sunday, the Iraqi parliament voted to expel all foreign troops and terminated the agreement with Washington based on which coalition troops were invited to Iraq more than 4 years ago to support the fight against ISIL.

At the same time, US President Trump continues to warn via Twitter:

"These media reports will serve as notification to the U.S. Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or any target, the U.S. will swiftly and fully strike back, perhaps in a disproportionate manner," Trump wrote on Sunday, emphasizing that "such legal notice is not required, but is nevertheless given!"

Let us recall, the US President said on Saturday that he would attack 52 high-profile targets in Iran if retaliation against US troops occurred – a number corresponding to the number of hostages Iran held during the attack on the US embassy in Tehran in 1979.

Iran responded to the warning by claiming that an attack on cultural sites constitutes a war crime.

Hezbollah says that US bases, ships, and soldiers throughout the Middle East are "good targets," and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that Trump is "worthy of all praise" for the killing of Soleimani.

Pope Francis called for dialogue, warning that "war can only bring death and destruction," reports Euronews.