Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the United States Department of Defense "shamelessly" threatened Russia in the latest Nuclear Posture Review. Speaking on Sunday, he claimed the Pentagon is trying to intimidate other countries by announcing it would come up with new weapons.
Mohammad Javad Zarif, minister of foreign affairs in the government in Tehran, earlier asserted the US is "bringing humankind closer to annihilation." He accused President Donald Trump of "the same dangerous imprudence" in attempts to scuttle the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a deal with major powers which led to the abolishment of international sanctions against Iran, which took on the obligation not to develop nuclear weapons.
Bijan Zanganeh, minister of petroleum, told reporters the hostility of the US against the JCPOA, which was agreed in 2015, is taking its toll on the confidence of foreign investors. Trump has promised not to recertify Iran's compliance in May unless the terms are revisited.
Tensions surrounding the NPR are adding to market uncertainty after last week's surge in volatility and a selloff among major asset classes.
