Donald Trump: Iranian foreign minister slams POTUS’ ‘ignorant hate speech’

US PRESIDENT unleashed on a “corrupt dictatorship” and it wasn’t long before the target of his words responded.

US President Donald Trump leaves the United Nations after his speech in New York. Picture: John Moore/Getty Images/AFP

DONALD Trump didn’t just take aim at North Korea in his maiden speech to the United Nations General Assembly.

The US President called Iran a “reckless regime” and “corrupt dictatorship” which he said “speaks openly of mass murder, vowing death to America, destruction to Israel and ruin for many leaders and nations in this room”.

It wasn’t long before the Middle Eastern nation responded, blasting the remarks as “ignorant hate speech”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that Mr Trump’s remarks had no place in the 21st Century.

Trump's ignorant hate speech belongs in medieval times-not the 21st Century UN -unworthy of a reply. Fake empathy for Iranians fools no one.

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 19, 2017

The US President received wide applause after criticising the Iran nuclear deal, which the US signed under former president Barack Obama.

“We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilising activities while building dangerous missiles and we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program,” Mr Trump said during his speech.

“The Iran deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into.

“Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States and I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it — believe me.”

Mr Trump took aim at North Korea and Iran during his maiden speech to the UN. Picture: Drew Angerer/Getty Images/AFP

Mr Trump also accused Tehran of squandering Iran’s wealth by supporting Syria’s Assad, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Yemen’s Houthi rebel group.

The 2015 deal was implemented under a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, and enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to surrender much of its enriched uranium, dismantle a reactor and submit to nuclear sites to UN inspection, in exchange for Washington and Europe lifting some sanctions.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran has lived up to the terms of the nuclear agreement, but Washington and its allies have been angered by Tehran’s other actions.

Tehran continues to develop and test ballistic missile technology banned under previous UN resolutions, and its Revolutionary Guard Corps supports militias in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, AFP reported.

Just days ago, Mr Zarif, insisted that Tehran would not be bullied into renegotiating the JCPOA.

The #JCPOA is not (re)negotiable. A "better" deal is pure fantasy. About time for U.S. to stop spinning and begin complying, just like Iran.

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 14, 2017

DIRE WARNING

The war of words between the US and Iran come as French President Emmanuel Macron warned against ditching the nuclear agreement with Iran.

In an interview with CNN, Mr Macron said Iran risked becoming a nuclear state like North Korea without the deal.

“North Korea is a very good illustration of a ‘what if’ regarding Iran,” he told CNN ahead of Mr Trump’s speech.

“Why? Because we stopped everything with North Korea years and years ago. We stopped any monitoring, any discussions with them, and what’s the result? They will probably get a nuclear weapon. I don’t want to replicate that situation with Iran.”

The French President also said it was vital both sides worked towards a peaceful solution on the crisis.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed Mr Trump’s comments. Picture: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

‘UNMITIGATED IDIOCY’

Nuclear disarmament campaigner John Hallam told news.com.au if the JCPOA is trashed, it risked, but did not necessitate, an Iranian nuke weapons program.

“Remember that if Trump trashes the JCPOA all he can do is remove the US from it, and Europe has made it clear that they will still be in,” he said.

“Iran for its part, has been a strong factor in the leadership of that group of countries that wants to outlaw nuclear weapons - having spoken a few times with Iran’s UN representatives in Geneva, I’d say that their personal commitment to nuclear disarmament is sincere.”

Mr Hallam said there was certainly a faction in the revolutionary guard who do want Iran to have nuclear weapons and their position will obviously be strengthened.

He maintained the Middle East nation was committed to nuclear disarmament and trashing the JCPOA was “unmitigated idiocy.”

While the President implied Iran had violated the nuclear deal, Newsweek points out this isn’t entirely accurate.

The UN’s nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency and the US State Department both found Iran to be in compliance with the deal.

Iran has however been pulled up for minor infractions including going over its limit for heavy water which could be used in nuclear reactors.

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