THE US yesterday accused Iran of “nuclear extortion” and vowed no let-up in pressure after the clerical regime said it will resume uranium enrichment at the key Fordow plant.

“Iran has no credible reason to expand its uranium enrichment programme, at the Fordow facility or elsewhere, other than a clear attempt at nuclear extortion that will only deepen its political and economic isolation,” said a State Department spokesman.

“We will continue to impose maximum pressure on the regime until it abandons its destabilising behaviour, including proliferation-sensitive work.”

President Hassan Rouhani said Iran will resume enrichment at the plant near the Shia holy city of Qom that was suspended under a 2015 nuclear accord with the US and five other powers.

It is the latest action by Iran to seek tangible benefits from the deal, from which the US withdrew as President Donald Trump imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at reducing Tehran’s regional role.

The State Department said it will await verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog that stepped up inspection under the 2015 accord. – AFP, November 6, 2019.