Britain backs Iran n-deal despite US, Israel accusations

IANS  |  London 

Britain has backed a "vitally important" nuclear deal with Iran, after and the US accused the Iranians of pursuing atomic weapons.

claimed it had evidence showing covertly sought nuclear weapons - an accusation rejected by

The US said Israel's claims are "consistent" with its own intelligence.

Six nations signed an accord in 2015 lifting sanctions on in exchange for the Iranian's abandoning a programme.

said it only sought nuclear energy, not weapons.

The British said: "We have never been naive about and its nuclear intentions."

Britain, and all still support the accord, which was also signed by and

On Monday, Israeli revealed what he said were "secret nuclear files" proving once covertly pursued nuclear weapons.

He said thousands of pages of material obtained by showed had deceived the world by denying it had ever sought nuclear weapons.

responded that Israel's revelations were a "childish" stunt to influence Donald Trump's decision on whether to remain in the nuclear deal, which he is due to make by May 12.

Trump has asked the European signatories to the agreement to "fix the terrible flaws" with it or he will refuse to extend sanctions relief on

In a statement, the said Israel's information provided "new and compelling details" about Iran's alleged efforts to develop "missile-deliverable nuclear weapons".

The US statement said: "These facts are consistent with what the US has long known - has a robust, clandestine nuclear weapons programme that it has tried and failed to hide from the world and from its own people."

According to Iranian state TV, Ali Akbar Salehi, the of the country's Atomic Energy Organisation, said he hoped Trump "comes to his senses and stays in the deal".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, May 01 2018. 07:58 IST