President Hassan Rouhani announced in a televised speech that Iran will partially withdraw from the nuclear accords struck between six nations back in 2015. The nuclear accords were one of former President Barack Obama’s key foreign policy achievements.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council released the following statement: “The Islamic Republic of Iran declares that at the current stage, it does not any more see itself committed to respecting the limitations on keeping enriched uranium and heavy water reserves.”
The Supreme National Security Council also said that partners (meaning China and the like) would have 60 days to alleviate pressure on Iran. If pressure is not reduced, Iran will no longer attempt to meet restrictions on uranium enrichment and will also begin modernizing the Arak Heavy Water Reactor.
The Council also stated: “Once our demands are met, we will resume implementation of the ceased undertakings. Otherwise, the Islamic Republic of Iran will stop compliance with its other undertakings in consequent phases.”
The United States has already pulled out of the nuclear deal. As a result of America’s pullout, Iran has struggled to export excess uranium and heavy water. On Twitter, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif claimed that America’s withdrawal made it “impossible” to meet the measures agreed to under the nuclear deal.
President Donald Trump has long claimed that the accords were defected at their core. Trump had criticized the nuclear deal fiercely on the 2016 campaign trail. The United States Defense Department is now considering sending additional resources to the Middle East in order to counter Iran, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has pledged maximum pressure on Tehran.