The United States will regret pulling out of the nuclear agreement, President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday, warning that it would see the Iranian response in "less than a week" after exit.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran will never be the first to violate the deal…But enemies of the nation should be aware that if they do so, they will surely regret it and will see the consequences in less than a week," Rouhani told a ceremony in Tehran to mark National Nuclear Technology Day, during which the latest nuclear achievements were unveiled.
He said Iran’s response would be stronger than presumed and Washington will have to “pay the price” for its breach of promise, the president’s official website reported.
US sanctions that were eased under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed in 2015 will resume unless US President Donald Trump again waives them on May 12. Trump has effectively set that as a deadline for European powers to “fix the terrible flaws” of the deal. Rouhani dismissed the threat, saying that the controversial US president has been making claims and trying to tear up the accord after he took office 15 months ago, but its structure is so strong that it has withstood all sorts of pressure thanks to the foresight of the Iranian negotiators.
Iran has vowed that it would ramp up its nuclear activities in the event of the collapse of the historic pact, which placed curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for relief from stringent economic sanctions.
Nuclear Achievements
In his speech Rouhani also addressed critics of the deal inside the country, noting that more than 130 major nuclear achievements have been made since the signing of the agreement.
“Last year, we showed over 40 achievements in the nuclear field…and this year we unveiled 83 projects, which shows we have continued and will continue on the path of technological and scientific development.”
The JCOPA did not hinder the country’s progress, but rather paved the way for closer cooperation with other countries, including European states, Russia and China, the president told the meeting.
Yellow Cake
A series of achievements related to centrifuge technology, isotopes, nuclear fission, power plants, nuclear medicine and water treatment were shown on Monday.
In addition, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi announced the transfer of the first yellowcake consignment from Saghand uranium mine in the central Yazd Province to a uranium conversion facility in neighboring Isfahan, according to Tasnim News Agency.
Salehi said Iran will honor its obligations under the nuclear deal as long as the other parties do likewise.
In an interview with ICANA published on Sunday, the AEOI chief said Iran could resume its 20% uranium enrichment “within four days” if the agreement is revoked and an order is issued by senior officials.
