Iran Threatens to Increase Uranium Enrichment if US Exits Nuclear Agreement

The Deputy Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization stated that the reinstatement of nuclear sanctions by the United States constitutes a violation of the agreement between Iran and world powers, and Tehran will take reciprocal actions, one of which could be an increase in uranium enrichment. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, must announce his decision regarding the suspension of sanctions against Iran by January 12. According to the nuclear agreement, if Iran adheres to the terms of the JCPOA, the US must renew the suspension of sanctions every 120 days. January 12 also marks the end of a 90-day deadline for confirming Iran's compliance with the JCPOA. Behrouz Kamalvandi stated on Wednesday, January 10, to the Islamic Republic's state news agency: 'If the suspension of sanctions is not signed on time, we will immediately take the first reciprocal action on that day or in the following days.' He identified 'reducing cooperation with the Agency' as one of these actions and mentioned that 'Iran has the capacity to increase the speed of nuclear activities, especially in uranium enrichment, beyond the pre-JCPOA period.' Before the nuclear agreement with six world powers, including the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany in July 2015, Iran was seriously pursuing 20% enrichment, which was suspended following the agreement. The current uranium enrichment ceiling in Iran, which the International Atomic Energy Agency is obliged to monitor, is 3.5%. The Deputy and Spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization indicated that a phone call between Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of this organization, and Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the Agency, suggested that a US violation of the JCPOA could impact Iran's cooperation with the Agency. Behrouz Kamalvandi mentioned in an interview with Iranian television that 'our negotiations with the Europeans in the coming days will largely determine our policies regarding US actions and how they should be.' He urged the US to think 'rationally, although they have unfortunately shown that they do not think and act rationally.' Donald Trump has consistently described the JCPOA as 'the worst deal he has ever seen' and insists that Tehran has violated the 'spirit of the JCPOA,' using funds received post-agreement for 'the regime's adventures in the region' and 'terrorism worldwide.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday during a meeting with NATO ambassadors in Israel that 'European leaders should take President Trump's warning about the annulment of the JCPOA seriously.'