IRGC commander says U.S. exit from nuclear deal "good omen" for Iran

TEHRAN, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday said that the U.S. exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was "good omen" for Iran, Tasnim news agency reported.

Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, is regarded as "a good omen" which "would have no determining impact on any area" of Iran's national interests.

Jafari called for boosting Iran's defense capabilities following the U.S. exit, saying the move proved that Washington is against Iran's defense and missile power and is using Iran's peaceful nuclear program just as an excuse.

"From now on, we, the armed forces, should pay more and deeper attention to enhancement of our defense power and pursue the main factors of our own power," Jafari was quoted as saying.

The U.S. exit from the JCPOA revealed that Iran's uranium enrichment program was only a pretext for mounting pressure on Iran, while the U.S. main problem with the Islamic republic is its defense and missile power and regional influence, he said.

Jafari also played down hopes about survival of the JCPOA with the European parties, saying Europe is affiliated with the United States and will likely stand with it.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, a landmark agreement signed in 2015.

In a televised speech, Trump announced the exit, adding he will not extend the waiver of nuke-related sanctions against Iran. Enditem