In the latest violation of the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Iran would resume centrifuge operations at its Fordow underground nuclear facility, according to the AFP.
“Starting from tomorrow [Wednesday], we will begin injecting [uranium hexafluoride] gas at Fordow,” Rouhani said in a speech broadcast by Iranian state television. According to Iran, the International Atomic Energy Agency will supervise work at the facility.
The European Union warned on Monday that its support for the nuclear deal depended on Iran fulfilling its commitments, according to the report.
“We have continued to urge Iran to reverse such steps without delay and to refrain from other measures that would undermine the nuclear deal,” said Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for E.U. diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini. “But we have also been consistent in saying that our commitment to the nuclear deal depends on full compliance by Iran.”
Separately, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Iran’s decision on Monday to double the number of advanced centrifuges it operates is “unacceptable,” the AP reported.
“Ultimately,” said Maas, “Iran is doing nothing less than putting the entire nuclear agreement at risk.”
The Trump administration withdrew the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in May 2018
