Iran nuclear chief warns over atomic deal

Iran's nuclear chief has said he hopes the atomic deal between Tehran and world powers survives, but warns the programme will be in a stronger position than ever if not.

Iran nuclear chief warns over atomic deal

Iran's nuclear chief has said he hopes the atomic deal between Tehran and world powers survives, but warns the programme will be in a stronger position than ever if not.

Ali Akbar Salehi also told the Associated Press in an exclusive interview in Tehran that the "consequences will be harsh" if there are any new attacks targeting Iran's nuclear scientists.

A string of bombings, blamed on Israel, targeted scientists beginning in 2010 at the height of Western concerns over Iran's programme.

Mr Salehi also said that President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw America from the 2015 accord "puts him on the loser's side" of history.

He added: "That deal could have paved the way for building the trust and the confidence that we had lost."

His comments come after Mr Trump decided to pull the US from the deal in May. The 2015 accord, struck under Barack Obama's administration, saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

After Mr Trump's decision, Western companies from plane manufacturers to oil firms have pulled out of Iran. The rial currency, which traded before the decision at 62,000 to a dollar, now stands at 142,000.

"I think (Trump) is on the loser's side because he is pursuing the logic of power," Mr Salehi said.

"He thinks that he can, you know, continue for some time but certainly I do not think he will benefit from this withdrawal, certainly not."

Mr Salehi spoke about Tehran's efforts to build a new facility at Natanz's uranium enrichment centre that will produce more advanced centrifuges. The devices enrich uranium by rapidly spinning uranium hexafluoride gas.

For now, the nuclear accord limits Iran to using a limited number of an older model, called IR-1s. The new facility will allow it to build advanced versions called the IR-2M, IR-4 and IR-6, which can enrich uranium much faster.

"If we have to go back and withdraw from the nuclear deal, we certainly do not go back to where we were before," Mr Salehi said.

"We will be standing on a much, much higher position."

- PA

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