Rouhani says US has failed to undermine nuclear deal

Iran's president said on Sunday that the United States had failed to undermine a nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers, hailing the accord as a "long-lasting victory" for Iran.

US president Donald Trump on Friday delivered an ultimatum to European signatories of the deal: fix its “terrible flaws” or else America would pull out.

"The American administration has failed to undermine the nuclear deal … Trump, despite his repeated efforts, has failed to undermine the accord … The deal is a long-lasting victory for Iran," president Hassan Rouhani said in a speech, broadcast live on state television.

On Friday, Mr Trump agreed to waive sanctions against Iran for the last time to give the US and European allies a final chance to amend the pact.

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Iran says the nuclear deal is not renegotiable and that it will stick to the accord as long as the other signatories respect it.

Under the deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting of most sanctions.

Mr Rouhani's comments came a day after the French president, Emmanuel Macron, called for the "necessary respect" of the nuclear deal as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged him to change it.

Mr Macron and Mr Netanyahu spoke by phone on Saturday after Mr Trump demanded that European partners work with Washington to amend the pact.

"Trump's remarks should be taken seriously, and whoever wants to keep the nuclear deal would be wise to fix it", Mr Netanyahu said, according to his office.

Following the call, the Elysee released a statement saying that Mr Macron "remembers the importance of preserving the Iran nuclear deal and the necessary respect by all parties of their engagements regarding the accord".