Iran could resume its 20 percent uranium enrichment if the European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal failed to keep it alive following Washington's withdrawal, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said on Saturday.
"If the other side keeps itself committed to its promises we also will be keeping ourselves to our promises... Our policy is wait and see now ... for just the few weeks time ... There are all kind of possibilities, we can ... start the 20 enrichment," Ali Akbar Salehi told reporters.
Under the 2015 deal with major powers, Iran curbed its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions on the country. The sanctions were lifted in 2016.
Iran's nuclear chief said that the European Union had promised to save the nuclear deal with major powers despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to exit the accord and reimpose sanctions on Tehran.
"We hope their efforts materialise ... America's actions ... show that it is not a trustworthy country in international dealings," Salehi said.
Canete, who arrived in Tehran late on Friday for a two-day visit, aims to reassure Iran that the 28-nation EU wants to keep trade open despite the U.S. withdrawal from the pact, announced by Trump on May 8.
"We have sent a message to our Iranian friends that as long as they are sticking to the agreement the Europeans will... fulfil their commitment. And they said the same thing on the other side," Canete said.
"We will try to intensify our flows of trade that have been very positive for the Iranian economy."
The EU was once the biggest importer of Iranian oil.
