Iran will surpass the uranium stockpile limit set in the nuclear deal in the next 10 days, according to Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesperson for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.
"Today the countdown to pass the 300 kilograms reserve of enriched uranium has started and in 10 days time we will pass this limit," he announced during a news conference at the Arak heavy water reactor facility.
The comments appeared to be directed at Britain, France, Germany and other European Union nations, as he said Iran would stay within the agreement’s limits if they opened access to international financial systems--a way to bypass U.S. sanctions.
“As long as they comply by their commitments, these will go back,” he said.
Germany, Britain and France have worked to set up a system to allow European companies to take part in a kind of barter trade with Iran.
The mechanism, called Instex or “Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges,” is still in its early stages and relies on Iran to set up a similar system internally. But, at best, it is only a way to trade in goods not currently covered by the sanctions — including medical goods, food and humanitarian supplies.
At the time, Mr. Rouhani set a 60-day deadline for the Europeans, who hope to salvage the deal despite Mr. Trump’s opposition, to make good on promises to help preserve Iran’s oil and banking sectors. That deadline expires early next month. (NYT)
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While Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said last month that Iran would "diminish its commitments" but not completely withdraw from the deal, Monday's announcement was the first time the government said it would violate the agreement.
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