Iran inches away from nuclear deal amid US sanctions

The US last week ended deals allowing Iran to exchange its enriched uranium for unrefined yellowcake uranium with Russia, as well as it being able to sell its heavy water to Oman.

Iran US nuclear deal, Iran US sanctions, Iran nuclear programme, Iran nuclear deal, US Iran relations, Donald Trump, US trump, Iran President, Iranian crude oil, oil prices, US Iran deals, world news, Indian Express — The US also has ended waivers for nations buying Iranian crude oil, a key source of revenue for Iran’s government. Currently, the accord limits Iran to enriching uranium to 3.67 per cent, which can fuel a commercial nuclear power plant. (Reuters file photo)

Iran’s president said Wednesday that it will stop exporting excess uranium and heavy water from its nuclear programme as stipulated by the 2015 atomic accord and set a 60-day deadline for new terms to the deal before it will resume higher uranium enrichment. Hassan Rouhani’s address to the nation came on the anniversary of President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw America from the landmark agreement. Rouhani said Iran wanted to negotiate new terms with remaining partners in the deal, but acknowledged that the situation was dire. “We felt that the nuclear deal needs surgery and the painkiller pills of the last year have been ineffective,” Rouhani said.