If western countries scrap the nuclear deal, Iran will activate ‘Fordow’ nuclear project, warns Iranian Atomic-Energy Commission

Tehran: ‘As per the instructions from the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, the nuclear programme continues to operate within the framework of the nuclear deal. But if the western countries scrap the nuclear deal and if Khamenei so orders, we will restart the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant,’ was the warning issued by the spokesman of the Iranian Atomic Energy Commission, Behrouz Kamalvandi.

US President, Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal signed in 2015. President Trump also imposed harsh sanctions against Iran. The western countries have remained firm on continuing with the Iranian nuclear deal despite the withdrawal of the United States.

But the Iranian supreme leader had criticised the United States and had ordered the Iranian scientists to expedite the nuclear program. In accordance with the order, Uranium enrichment had been sped up at the Natanz nuclear plant. Even after this, the European countries were insistent that Iran was implementing the nuclear program within the scope of the nuclear deal.

But, in an interview given to an Iranian news agency, Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Commission, threatened that Iran may overstep the limitations set by the nuclear deal. Kamalvandi thus clarified, ‘The speed of Uranium enrichment was increased at the Natanz nuclear plant last week. If Khamenei gives the order, Uranium enrichment can be started at the Fordow plant too.’

Kamalvandi also said that the speed of this project can be enhanced by implementing new systems at the Natanz project. The Chief of the Atomic Energy Commission, Akbar Salehi, had also given an interview two days ago. In the interview, Salehi was speaking from the Natanz Project site and three editions of advanced enrichment centrifuges were placed behind him. The United States and Israel have demanded that the European countries, who support the Iranian nuclear deal should take a note of this.

Meanwhile, the Fordow Project, located in Qom in North Western Iran, is known as the project hidden in the mountain ranges. Iran had kept this project out of sight of the international inspectors for many years. Israel has already alleged that Iran can make a nuclear bomb using the Uranium enriched at this plant. This increases the importance of Kamalvandi’s warnings.