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Iran Starts Rolling Back Some Nuclear Deal Commitments

Iran will stop programs related to limiting Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and the heavy water that's produced in that process.

Iran Starts Rolling Back Some Nuclear Deal Commitments
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Iran has reportedly started to roll back some of its commitments under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal after issuing the remaining parties an ultimatum. 

The Iranian Students' News Agency reports the country's Supreme National Security Council ordered officials to stop programs related to limiting Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and the heavy water that's produced in that process. 

Last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the country would stop complying with parts of the Iran nuclear deal. He said the decision was made "to protect the security and national interests of the people of Iran." 

He then gave the remaining parties of the deal — France, Britain, Germany, Russia and China — a deadline: Lessen the pressure put on Iran by U.S. oil and banking sanctions within 60 days, or Iran will "suspend compliance with the uranium enrichment limits" and take measures to update its heavy water reactor. 

The EU and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to the deal.

In a speech Tuesday, Iran's supreme leader said "no one is seeking war." He went on to say, though, that it wouldn't be hard for Iran to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels. 

The nuclear deal limits Iran's uranium enrichment to 3.67%. But Iranian officials have said it would only take four days for Iran to reach 20% enrichment, which is reportedly the hardest part. Scientists say once Iran gets to that level, the time needed to get to the 90% threshold for weapons-grade uranium is cut in half. As far as we know, Iran has never enriched uranium past 20%.