Iran to resume 20-percent enrichment if necessary

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says Iran is capable of resuming the enrichment of uranium to the 20-percent level at its Fordow facility within a maximum of five days if necessary, Iran's Press TV reported.

In an exclusive interview with IRIB News Agency on Tuesday, Ali Akbar Salehi cited President Hassan Rouhani’s recent warning that Iran would accelerate its nuclear activities to an advanced level “within hours” if the US returned to a policy of sanctions.

Salehi said all higher-ranking Iranian officials, including President Rouhani, had been briefed on the technical capabilities of the AEOI to be able to take right decisions.

The warning made by the president, he said, had been based on data provided by the AEOI.

Iran has applied certain limits to its nuclear program under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) deal which it reached with six other countries in 2015.

Salehi said the changes made to the Fordow enrichment facility under that deal had been calculated so as to enable a return to the 20-percent enrichment within five days.

Source: MENA