TheCable

John Brennan, director of the CIA, has warned Donald Trump, US president-elect, against ending the Iran nuclear deal.

In an interview with BBC, Brennan said taking such step would not only be disastrous, but become “the height of folly”.

He also advised the incoming president to be wary of Russia’s promises, blaming Moscow for much of the suffering in Syria.

In his campaign, Trump threatened to scrap the Iran deal and also hinted at working more closely with Russia.

President Barack Obama struck the deal in July 2015 as a way to pre-empt Iran’s drive to develop atomic weapons.

The deal was negotiated between Iran and all five permanent members UN Security Council, plus Germany, in Vienna.

The agreement is supposed to make sure Iran uses its nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes, preventing the regime in Tehran from gaining nuclear weapons instead.

In exchange, the international community pledged to lift economic sanctions.

Iran has already said there will be no renegotiation of the deal.

Majid Ravanchi, Iranian deputy foreign minister, said this after the emergence of Trump.