WarSclerotic

Iran’s Khamenei says ‘no one can stop Tehran’ from getting a nuclear weapon

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets with members of the Iranian Assembly of Experts in Tehran, Feb. 21, 2021. (AFP)

Reuters

Published: 22 February ,2021: 11:17 AM GSTUpdated: 22 February ,2021: 09:24 PM GST

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Tehran may enrich uranium up to 60 percent purity if the country needed it, state TV reported, adding that Tehran will never yield to the US pressure over the country’s nuclear work.

“Iran’s uranium enrichment level will not be limited to 20 percent. We will increase it to whatever level the country needs … We may increase it to 60 percent,” state quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying.

He said Tehran had never sought a nuclear weapon but if it wanted to, “no one could stop Tehran from acquiring it.”

“Americans and the European parties to the deal have used unjust language against Iran…Iran will not yield to pressure. Our stance will not change,” Khamenei said.

US President Joe Biden’s administration said last week it was ready to talk to Iran about both nations returning to the accord abandoned by Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday Washington would aim to bolster and extend the 2015 pact, which aimed to limit Iran’s enrichment potential – a possible pathway to atomic bombs – in exchange for a lifting of most sanctions.

Iran and the United States have been at odds over who should take the first step to revive the accord. Iran insists the United States must first rescind US sanctions while Washington says Tehran must first return to full compliance.

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