Iran said it would escalate its nuclear program and regional activities if the United States does not fully honor its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal within the next few weeks.
The warning, issued by Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, follows months of stalled negotiations aimed at reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under the accord, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other global powers.
Kanaani stated that Iran would take unspecified steps to increase its uranium enrichment levels and expand its nuclear activities if Washington does not remove sanctions and restore the deal’s terms by the deadline. The spokesperson did not provide a precise timeline but indicated the timeframe was measured in weeks, not months.
The JCPOA, brokered during the Obama administration, was abandoned by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018, who reimposed sanctions. Since then, Iran has gradually reduced its compliance with the agreement, enriching uranium to higher purity levels and restricting international inspections.
Analysts note that Iran’s latest warning signals a potential shift toward a more confrontational stance, particularly as negotiations have repeatedly failed to yield progress. The European Union, which has mediated talks, has urged both sides to return to compliance to prevent further destabilization in the region.
The U.S. State Department has not immediately responded to the Iranian statement. The JCPOA remains a critical point of contention in Middle East geopolitics, with implications for global oil markets and regional security.
