Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a meeting with tribal leaders in Kerbala, Iraq. March 12, 2019.
Hassan Rouhani's address to the nation came on the anniversary of President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the atomic accord. Rouhani said Iran wanted to negotiate new terms with remaining partners in the deal, but acknowledged that the situation was dire.The 2015 deal saw sanctions on Iran lifted in exchange for limits on its nuclear program. After the US withdrew from the accord it restored crippling sanctions on Iran, exacerbating a severe economic crisis.
The US last week ended deals allowing Iran to exchange its enriched uranium for unrefined yellowcake uranium with Russia, as well as it being able to sell its heavy water to Oman.