Donald Trump backed away from a campaign promise to scrap a major nuclear security deal with Iran Tuesday, with officials announcing the agreement and related sanctions relief will stay in place for now.

“The conditions,” of the deal according to one official who the White House would not name publicly, “have been met, based on information available to the United States.”

During his election campaign Trump denounced the Obama-era deal, promising to renegotiate it and vowing to get tough on Iran.

Trump has now twice affirmed Iran’s compliance since taking office — effectively keeping the deal in place.

But the White House pointed to new non-nuclear sanctions and stricter implementation of the deal.

An official added: “we do expect that we will be implementing new sanctions that pertain to Iran’s ballistic missile program and fast boat program.”

“Iran remains one of the most dangerous threats to US interests and regional stability,” the official said.

For its part, Iran’s accuses US of non compliance and failing to lift sanctions in line with the deal.

Source: AFP