U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that Iran's potential acquisition of nuclear weapons, and that of any other rogue country, was a paramount concern to his administration.
"Among the pressing threats facing our nations is the development and spread of nuclear weapons – perhaps that's our biggest threat," Trump said during a press conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May following a meeting at her residence.
"The United States and the United Kingdom are determined to ensure that Iran never develops nuclear weapons and stops supporting and engaging in terrorism," he stressed, before adding: "And I believe that will happen."
Speaking alongside Trump in London, May said the two nations differed on how to limit the threat from Iran.
The U.K. still supports the 2015 international agreement to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions, but Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from the deal. "The U.K. continues to stand by the [Iran] nuclear deal. It is clear that we both want to reach the same goal," May said.
Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said his country will continue resisting U.S. economic and political pressure on his country.
Khamenei spoke Tuesday on the anniversary of the death of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic, in Khomeini's mausoleum.
Without referring to the U.S. by name, Khamenei said "standing and resisting the enemy's excessive demands and bullying is the only way to stop him."
Khamenei added: "Resistance has a cost, but the cost of surrendering to the enemy is higher."
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last week the U.S. was willing to talk with Iran "with no preconditions." Iran has rejected that offer, saying the U.S. must first return to the deal and lift the sanctions it imposed.
