Iran’s actions further erode nuclear deal

GENEVA: Iran will take a new step in reducing commitments to a landmark 2015 nuclear deal today by injecting gas into 1044 centrifuges at its Fordow plant, President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday in a speech broadcast live on state television.

All of the steps Iran had taken to reduce its commitments to the nuclear deal were reversible and Iran would uphold all of its commitments under the deal when the remaining signatories did the same, Rouhani said.

‘‘We know their sensitivity with regard to Fordow. With regard to these centrifuges, we know. But at the same time when they uphold their commitments we will cut off the gas again . . . So it is possible to reverse this step,’’ Rouhani said.

‘‘We can’t unilaterally accept that we completely fulfil our commitments and they don’t follow up on their commitments.’’

Under the terms of the deal the Islamic Republic was allowed to spin the centrifuges at Fordow without injecting gas, Rouhani said.

Iran said yesterday it had launched a new batch of advanced centrifuges to accelerate uranium enrichment, further reducing compliance with the deal following the withdrawal of its archfoe the United States. In response, Germany said yesterday this jeopardised the accord and it called on Teheran to return to it.

Iran has gradually shed commitments made under the deal with world powers since being hit with renewed US sanctions last year that have crippled its oil exports. — Reuters