Iran can resume high-level uranium enrichment within five days if the United States tears up the nuclear deal, the head of its Atomic Energy Organization said Tuesday.
“If we make a determination, at most in five days we can start 20 percent enrichment in Fordo (nuclear plant),” said Ali Akbar Salehi in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB.
“Of course we would not like such a thing to happen as we made a lot of effort to achieve the JCPOA,” he added, referring to the nuclear deal clinched between Tehran and world powers in 2015, known in Iran as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
“Our biggest priority is to maintain the JCPOA, but of course not at any price.”
US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to tear up the nuclear deal during his campaign, and it has come under mounting pressure after Tehran carried out missile tests and Washington imposed new sanctions — with each accusing the other of violating the spirit of the agreement.
But Salehi said that scrapping the nuclear deal would backfire on Washington in its efforts to tackle North Korea’s atomic program.
“If they call off the JCPOA, North Korea will say you are not committed to your pledges,” he said.
“The credibility of the US will fall apart and the question will be raised as to why they committed themselves and then violated their commitments.”
Under the deal, Iran is allowed to enrich uranium to low levels of 3.5 percent, which can be used to power reactors.
Source: Agencies
