IRAN/NUCLEAR/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Iran’s supreme leader chastised President Donald Trump on Wednesday [5-9-18] over his decision to pull America out of the 2015 nuclear deal, while lawmakers lit a paper U.S. flag on fire inside parliament, shouting, ‘Death to America!’ The government backlash reflected broad public anger in Iran over Trump’s decision, which threatens to destroy the landmark agreement. While Iranian officials, including the parliament speaker, say they hope Europe will work with them to preserve the deal, many are pessimistic. In comments before school teachers, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Trump: ‘You cannot do a damn thing!’ The exhortation from Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, follows a pattern of Iranian leaders declaring their nation’s ability to resist foreign pressure or interference. Khamenei described Trump’s speech Tuesday [5-8-18] announcing his decision as having ‘over 10 lies,’ without elaborating on them. He also said Trump’s remarks threatened both Iran’s people and its theocratic government.”
-Nasser Karimi and Amir Vahdat, “Iran’s top leader, lawmakers lash out at US on nuclear deal,” The Associated Press, May 9, 2018