Salehi: Mr. Trump Should Not Get Himself or Us into Trouble

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization says Tehran has the capability to pursue uranium enrichment levels even higher than during the JCPOA if it chooses to do so. Ali Akbar Salehi added on Monday, April 29, that 'this is neither a slogan nor an exaggeration.' He also expressed hope that Donald Trump, the President of the United States, would 'come to his senses' and support the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA. Trump announced on January 12 of last year that he would extend the suspension of sanctions against Iran under the JCPOA for the last time unless 'the catastrophic flaws' of this agreement are addressed by its European partners. This deadline ends on May 12. The U.S. President has set four conditions for continuing U.S. participation in the JCPOA, which include: 'immediate access' for international inspectors to all locations and facilities in Iran, making restrictions on Iran's nuclear program permanent, ensuring Iran does not approach nuclear weapons, and limiting Iran's ballistic missile program. Before the JCPOA, Iran enriched uranium up to 3.5% and at one point up to 20%. Under this agreement, Iran committed to halt enrichment activities above 3.5%. Salehi had previously stated that if the nuclear agreement collapses, 'Iran can resume 20% enrichment within four days.' He reiterated on Monday, 'I have said many times that from a technical standpoint, we have the capability to return to a position much higher than before the JCPOA. I have emphasized this repeatedly, and this is neither a slogan nor an exaggeration.' Salehi added, 'Foreigners believe us more than our own people.' The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization stated, 'Now that we say we are ready to return to a position higher than before the JCPOA, our own people say it is not true. We hope that we never need to reach this situation, and Mr. Trump and his administration do not get themselves or us and others into trouble.' To keep the U.S. in the JCPOA, the three European countries of Britain, France, and Germany are trying to impose more sanctions on Iran due to its missile program and what they call Tehran's 'destabilizing' influence in the region. Last week, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, and Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, traveled to Washington to meet with Donald Trump. Europe's efforts to preserve the JCPOA were among the priorities of the French and German leaders' meeting in Washington. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, said in a phone call with Emmanuel Macron on April 28, 'The JCPOA and any other topic under its pretext are absolutely non-negotiable.'