Trump vows to back Iranian protesters

Trump compared himself favourably to his predecessor Barack Obama, suggesting that it had been a mistake not to back the failed 2009 Green Revolution in Iran.

"When the people of Iran rose up against the crimes of their corrupt dictatorship, I did not stay silent," he said.

"America stands with the people of Iran in their courageous struggle for freedom," he declared.

At least 25 Iranians were killed during anti-government demonstrations that began on December 28.

He asked Congress to address the flaws in the nuclear landmark nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 (the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council) in 2015.

"I am asking the Congress to address the fundamental flaws in the terrible Iran nuclear deal," he added.

The Iran deal was brokered under the Obama administration, and sought to curb Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

But President Trump has blasted the agreement as an ineffective capitulation to Iran that has failed to halt Iranian aggression in the Middle East and elsewhere. In October, Trump asked Congress to determine whether to reimpose sanctions lifted under the agreement.

Earlier this month, Trump moved to extend sanctions relief for Iran, but threatened to "terminate" the deal unless Congress and European allies agreed to fix what the administration has described as flaws in it.

Tehran has rejected the notion of renegotiating the agreement, and has accused the US of reversing on its commitments.

Iran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.