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Donald Trump to approve Iran nuclear deal for last time – if it isn't changed Donald Trump to approve Iran nuclear deal for last time – if it isn't changed
(about 1 hour later)
Despite his hatred of the Iran nuclear deal, President Donald Trump has left the accord intact - but has given European allies 120 days to agree to a new deal or the US will pull out, administration officials have said.  Despite his hatred of the Iran nuclear deal, President Donald Trump has left the accord intact for now – but has given European allies 120 days to agree to a new deal or the US will pull out. 
In his decision not to immediately terminate the agreement, Mr Trump is also waiving nuclear sanctions against Iran for the last time, the officials said.  Mr Trump is waiving nuclear sanctions against Iran for the last time, administration officials said – comments that were quickly followed by a stark warning from the President: “either fix the deal’s disastrous flaws, or the United States will withdraw.” 
The action is the third time Mr Trump has given a reprieve to the agreement brokered by the Obama administration and five other world powers, despite having called it “one of the worst” agreements the US has ever entered into. The action is the third time Mr Trump has given a reprieve to the agreement brokered by the Obama administration and other world powers, despite having called it “the worst deal ever”. 
Mr Trump has also approved sanctions against the head of Iran’s judiciary, Sadeq Larijani, whom the administration holds culpable for the violent crackdown on recent antigovernment protests. Mr Trump has also approved sanctions against the head of Iran’s judiciary, Sadeq Larijani, whom the administration holds culpable for the violent crackdown on recent anti-government protests.
Mr Larijani is among 14 individuals and entities that have been sanctioned by the administration for human rights abuses, censorship in Iran and for providing support to Iranian weapons proliferators. Mr Larijani is among 14 individuals and entities that have been sanctioned by the administration for human rights abuses, censorship in Iran and for providing support to Iranian weapons proliferators. 
  Mr Trump said in a statement that he is open to working with Congress on bipartisan legislation regarding Iran. 
  “But any bill I sign must include four critical components,” he said. “First, it must demand that Iran allow immediate inspections at all sites requested by international inspectors. Second, it must ensure that Iran never even comes close to possessing a nuclear weapon.” 
  He continued: “Third, unlike the nuclear deal, these provisions must have no expiration date. My policy is to deny Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon — not just for ten years, but forever. If Iran does not comply with any of these provisions, American nuclear sanctions would automatically resume. Fourth, the legislation must explicitly state in United States law — for the first time — that long-range missile and nuclear weapons programs are inseparable, and that Iran’s development and testing of missiles should be subject to severe sanctions.” 
  After the President's announcement, Obama officials who helped negotiate the 2015 agreement re-iterated that the accord ensures Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. It is also critical that the US remains part of the deal, they said.