Iran to resume nuclear enrichment if Trump nixes 2015 deal: Iranian FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned that Tehran's 'probable' response to a US withdrawal from the 2015 agreement would be to restart production of enriched uranium

AFP | PTI  |  New York 

Opec, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oil, Import
Representative image

Iran is ready to "vigorously" resume nuclear enrichment if the United States ditches the 2015 nuclear deal, and further "drastic measures" are being considered in response to a US exit, Iranian Foreign Minister warned.

Zarif told reporters in New York that Iran is not seeking to acquire a nuclear bomb, but that Tehran's "probable" response to a US withdrawal would be to restart production of enriched uranium -- a key bomb-making ingredient.

"America never should have feared Iran producing a nuclear bomb, but we will pursue vigorously our nuclear enrichment," Zarif said.

US President has set a May 12 deadline for the Europeans to "fix" the 2015 agreement that provides for curbs to Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for relief from financial sanctions.

First Published: Sun, April 22 2018. 10:14 IST