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Iran threatens to reactivate uranium enrichment facilities: speaker

Xinhua, July 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iran's Majlis (parliament) speaker on Wednesday threatened that the Islamic republic will reactivate its uranium enrichment plants if the West puts further demands on Iran under the pretext of the nuclear deal, or JCPOA.

In a reaction to the recent UN report on the implementation of the JCPOA by Iran, Ali Larijani urged the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to prepare a plan for the reopening of shuttered uranium enrichment facilities, Tehran Times daily reported.

A half-yearly report by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the JCPOA said Monday that Iran's developing missile program is "not consistent" with the spirit of the nuclear deal.

Iran objected to the report, calling it "biased" and "unrealistic."

Iran has reiterated that its ballistic missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads and the issue is not related to the nuclear deal.

"It is necessary for AEOI to act in compliance with the law passed (earlier) on the reopening of the nuclear plant to enrich uranium proportionate to the country's needs," Larijani was quoted as saying.

Following a nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers in July 2015, Iran stopped major parts of its uranium enrichment activities in the Natanz and Fordow facilities in central Iran.

On Wednesday, Larijani stressed that hostile actions by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate against the nuclear deal have reached a point where Iran has "no other option but to retaliate."

While Iran has announced it is more than ever ready for investments, international companies drag their feet to invest in the country since they fear that they may face obstacles due to the sour relations between Iran and the United States as well as complications involved in the money transfer to and out of the country.

The United Sates has still its sanction on Iran over the alleged violations of human rights and supports of terrorism, which Iran denies.

Also, Washington has recently blacklisted some Iranian and foreign entities for being involved in Iran's missile program. Endit