Ali Akbar Salehi

Iran on April 11 described a blackout at its underground Natanz atomic facility an act of "nuclear terrorism," raising regional tensions as world powers and Tehran continue to negotiate over its tattered nuclear deal.

Acting Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Cornel Feruta arrived in Tehran on Sunday for high-level meetings with Iranian officials, AFP reports citing Iranian news agency ISNA.

Iran could be in a position to create nuclear weapons within five days if the US ends a major agreement on uranium enrichment, the country's atomic programme head has warned, quoted by the Independent.co.uk. 

Ali Akbar Salehi, one of Iran's vice presidents, made the comments on state TV in apparent reaction to increased sanctions imposed by America this month.

Iran can resume high-level uranium enrichment within five days if the United States tears up the nuclear deal, the head of its Atomic Energy Organisation said Aug. 22.

"If we make a determination, at most in five days we can start 20 percent enrichment in Fordo (nuclear plant)," said Ali Akbar Salehi in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB. 

Iran has begun shutting down uranium enrichment centrifuges under the terms of a deal struck with six world powers in July on limiting its nuclear programme, Tehran's atomic energy chief said on Nov. 2 during a visit to Tokyo.

Iran's parliament approved a historic nuclear deal with world powers on Oct. 13, effectively ending debate among lawmakers over the agreement and paving the way for its formal implementation.

President Hassan Rouhani defended a nuclear deal criticized by Iran's conservatives, arguing July 23 that the agreement reflected the nation's will and was "more valuable" than domestic carping about its details. 

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, departed Tehran for Vienna with nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi and Hossein Fereydoon, a brother and close aide to President Hassan Rouhani, for nuclear talks, state news agency IRNA reported on June 30.

Marathon talks aimed at stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons entered their final scheduled day March 31 with global powers racing to agree a framework deal by a midnight deadline.
      

Iran's nuclear chief said March 26 he was "optimistic" about reaching a ground-breaking nuclear deal, as US and Iranian diplomats launched down-to-the-wire talks chasing a March 31 deadline.