BFF-35 Iran says may ‘reverse’ nuclear programme to pre-deal status

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BFF-35

IRAN-NUCLEAR-POLITICS-EU-US

Iran says may ‘reverse’ nuclear programme to pre-deal status

TEHRAN, July 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Iran’s atomic energy agency said Monday it
could reverse its nuclear programme to its status before curbs were imposed
under a landmark 2015 agreement with world powers.

“If the Europeans and the Americans don’t want to carry out their duties…
we will decrease our commitments and… reverse the conditions to four years
ago,” agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said, quoted by IRNA state news
agency.

“These actions are not out of obstinacy. It is to give diplomacy a chance
so that the other side come to their senses and carry out their duties,” he
added.

The deal promised economic benefits and sanctions relief to Iran, but US
President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in May 2018 and reimposed
tough punitive measures against the Islamic republic.

Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving sanctions relief it
believes it was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified sensitive
uranium enrichment work.

European foreign ministers were meeting in Brussels on Monday for crisis
talks on the deal.

On Sunday, the European parties to the deal — Britain, France and Germany
— called for dialogue as tensions further intensified between Iran and the
United States.

In a statement, the so-called E3 expressed concern the deal was at risk of
further unravelling but said it was up to Iran to ensure its survival.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to leave the deal unless the remaining
parties to the agreement bypass US sanctions and deliver the promised
benefits.

BSS/AFP/BZC/2035HRS