Tehran, June 17: Iran on Monday said it will breach the internationally agreed curbs over its low-enriched uranium stock in next 10 days – a move likely to escalate already-high friction with the United States – but added the European allies still have time to secure the landmark 2015 international nuclear deal, the International Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
Behrouz Kamalvandi, Iranian Atomic Energy Organization spokesperson, “We have quadrupled the rate of enrichment and even increased it more recently, so that in 10 days it will bypass the 300 kg limit.”
On state-run TV, he added saying, “There is still time … if European countries act,” according to Reuters news reports.
“Iran’s reserves are every day increasing at a more rapid rate. And if it is important for them (Europe) to safeguard the accord, they should make their best efforts… As soon as they carry out their commitments, things will naturally go back to their original state.”
The nuclear deal which was agreed between Iran and other world power aimed at curbing Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity in order to reduce ways to developing any nuclear product, in return of most of the international sanction reliefs.
The deal cap Tehran’s low-enriched uranium stock at 300 kg of uranium hexafluoride enriched to 3.67 percent or its equivalent for 15 years.
Iran said it is likely to announce its next steps on Monday over ending its compliances with its commitment to the landmark 2015 international nuclear deal.
Iran has suspended complying with a few elements of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in May, one year after US President Donald Trump withdrew America from the INF pact.
On May 8, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the left signatories –China, France, Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom – had only 60 days deadline to implement their vows to secure Tehran’s banking and oil fields from the US sanctions.
Monday’s announcement has come amidst rising tensions in the Gulf after a series of attack s over two oil tankers and infrastructure in the region, according to Reuters news reports.
In May, Tehran said it would begin enriching uranium at an above level unless global powers protest it from US sanctions within 60 days.
Also read: Iran to announce next steps scaling back its compliance under INF treaty