Iran says not seeking war after announcing boost in uranium stockpile

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told France's new Iranian Ambassador Philippe Thiebaud June 17 in Tehran that time was quickly running out for the remaining signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to "play their historic role in salvaging the deal." Rouhani warned that the pact's collapse would not serve the interests of any side involved the agreement.

A few hours later, Iran's Atomic Energy Organization announced that the Islamic Republic's stockpile of low-enriched uranium will by June 27 have passed 300 kilograms, breaching the limit it has been fully observing under the JCPOA. The step was taken as part of a larger plan revealed in May after Tehran said its "strategic patience" with the Europeans had run out and it needed them to provide it with promised economic dividends by a 60-day deadline.

The announcement on the stockpile of low-enriched uranium was seen as a "countdown" by pro-Reform daily Arman, which has been publishing profusely in support of the JCPOA. Despite their fundamental differences over the deal, Iran's diverse political camps currently share increasing frustration with Europe's perceived inaction in protecting the deal.

Under the ultimatum Iran issued to Europeans, the latter now has less than three weeks to "compensate" for its inadequacies; otherwise, more will be in the pipeline, including the production of 20% enriched uranium. If implemented, the plan will effectively set off an Iranian departure from the JCPOA, which the country's hard-liners have persistently pushed for. Representing that camp, the conservative daily Javan hailed the latest measure as a "nuclear shock" dealt to the Europeans. From a similar perspective, Jahan Sanat saw Iran "inch closer to withdrawing from the deal."