Trump takes chance to question Iran deal amid Abadi’s visit

US President Donald Trump has questioned the Iran nuclear deal amid a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

Trump, who has been a staunch opponent of the international agreement negotiated by the US under President Barack Obama, took the opportunity to criticize it amid meeting Abadi in the White House on Monday.

The billionaire-turned-president told an Iraqi delegation that he was wondering why Obama supported the deal, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), further asserting "nobody" knows why.

“One of the things I did ask is, 'Why did President Obama sign that agreement with Iran?' because nobody has been able to figure that one out," Trump said. "But maybe someday we'll be able to figure that one out."

Since he started campaigning for the 2016 presidential election, Trump has criticized the Obama administration for backing the JCPOA, also supported by the UK, Germany, Russia, China, and France.

The Republican president welcomed the Iraqi premier to the White House for his first meeting since Trump gained power.

Trump said it was a "great honor" to meet the Iraqi prime minister, the 9th foreign leader received by the US president.

The two also discussed the Daesh Takfiri terrorists’ militancy in Iraq.

Before leaving the Iraqi capital Baghdad for the afternoon meeting, Abadi said in a video statement, "We are in the last chapter, the final stages to eliminate ISIL militarily in Iraq."

In Washington, he also stated that Iraq has "the strongest counter-terrorism forces, but we are looking forward to more cooperation between us and the US."

SS