Iran is taking another step toward expanding its nuclear program by officially starting construction of the second unit of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Tehran showed it is determined to continue this program by announcing Nov. 10 it has begun expanding the commercial reactor site. On Nov. 5, it had announced it would begin enriching uranium at its Fordow plant, which under the 2015 nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA) was to be used only as a research facility until at least 2031.

Iran began building up its nuclear program after US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the United States out of the agreement in May 2018. The other participants are trying to renegotiate conditions with Iran: Russia, China, Germany, France, Britain and the European Union.

These actions are in line with the orders of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who on Oct. 2 said, “With utmost seriousness, we will continue reducing our JCPOA commitments." In a Nov. 15 speech, he also linked the development of Iran’s nuclear industry to the country's independence.