Tillerson attacks Iran nuclear deal as US sets review to possibly walk away from the pact

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson tore into a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, saying it only delayed the country’s ambition to gain weapons of mass destruction and didn’t take into account its role in sponsoring terrorism and destabilising other countries.

“This deal represents the same failed approach of the past,” Tillerson said at a hastily arranged press conference on Wednesday. “The Trump administration has no intention of passing the buck to a future administration.”

The tough talk followed the most tangible step taken by Tillerson on Iran: Certifying to Congress late Tuesday that the Islamic Republic is complying with the terms of the nuclear deal, a finding required by law every 90 days.

Tillerson’s announcement was the strongest signal to date that President Donald Trump may walk away from the nuclear deal. Trump this week ordered his National Security Council to review whether to reimpose sanctions that were eased under the accord because of Iran’s continued support for terrorism. Tillerson said in his statement that the review will determine whether the suspension of sanctions “is vital to the national security interests of the United States.”

Trump has panned what he’s called “the horrible Iran deal” reached by the US and five other world powers under his predecessor, Barack Obama. During last year’s presidential campaign, he called for dismantling or renegotiating it. Republicans in Congress also have been critical, advocating new sanctions on Iran for supporting terrorism and for its ballistic missile programme.