US announces new string of demands for new nuclear deal with Iran

The US has issued a list of demands for a new nuclear deal with Iran and threatened "the strongest sanctions in history" if the country does not comply.

Under the new demands, Iran would have to “stop enrichment” of Uranium, end its support of Hezbollah and also reveal details of all previous efforts to build a nuclear weapon.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the demands would help to ensure that “Iran has no possible path to a nuclear weapon ever.”

The US has also demanded that Iran must release “all US citizens” missing in Iran or being held on “spurious charges” and also withdraw troops from Syria.

It’s thought that there are five US citizens currently detained in Iran for various charges.

One detainee, Karan Vafadari was sentenced to 27 years in prison for “attempting to overthrow the Islamic Republic” in 2016.

In return, the US would lift sanctions, restore full diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran and support the modernisation of its economy.

Mr Pompeo said: “It is America's hope that our labours toward peace and security will bear fruit for the long-suffering people of Iran.”

He added: "I know our allies in Europe may try to keep the old nuclear deal going with Tehran. That is their decision to make.”

President Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal earlier this month. European allies had pleaded with Mr Trump not to break from the deal.

He previously described the deal as “a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.

Mr Trump added: “It didn’t bring calm, it didn’t bring peace and it never will.”

Barack Obama who led the signing of the deal shared his disappointment at the Trump administration’s actions in a statement that said: “The joint comprehensive plan of action is in America’s interest – it has significantly rolled back Iran’s nuclear program.

"The JCPOA is a model for what diplomacy can accomplish.”