Views on the nuclear program of Iran

Iran increased its uranium enrichment on July 7 beyond the limit allowed by its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, inching its program closer toward weapons-grade levels while calling for a diplomatic solution to a crisis heightening tensions with the U.S.

Iran said on July 7 it was set to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by an endangered nuclear deal within hours as it seeks to press signatories into keeping their side of the bargain.    

US President Donald Trump warned that Iran is "playing with fire" after Tehran said it exceeded a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington, AFP reported.

"They know what they're doing. They know what they're playing with and I think they're playing with fire," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about Iran.

Iran is showing "maximum restraint" despite the U.S. withdrawal from a nuclear deal, the country's foreign minister said on May 16, accusing Washington of an "unacceptable" escalation in tensions.

Iran's president said on May 8 that it will begin keeping its excess uranium and heavy water from its nuclear program, setting a 60-day deadline for new terms to its nuclear deal with world powers before it will resume higher uranium enrichment.

Germany's government will help German firms with business in Iran where it can, but cannot entirely shield them from the U.S. decision to quit the Iran nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions against Tehran, the economy minister told a newspaper.

Telegraph - Donald Trump pulled America out of the Iran nuclear deal on Tuesday, reimposing sanctions on the regime and delivering on an election campaign promise.

The US president said the "defective" 2015 agreement would not stop Iran developing a nuclear bomb and signed a presidential memorandum enacting the US withdrawal.

Iran has warned it is ready to "vigorously" resume nuclear enrichment if the United States ditches the 2015 nuclear deal, adding that further "drastic measures" are being considered in response to a U.S. exit.

European Union leaders on Thursday reaffirmed their full commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, hoping that the U.S. Congress would not let it collapse despite relentless criticism by President Donald Trump, Reuters reports.

Two statements, one after the other, came on the day the Russian Foreign Ministry announced the "Syria Summit" to be held together with Turkey and Iran. 

The first one was from the United States, which said economic sanctions applied to Russia after the Ukraine crisis were expanded, adding seven more Russian citizens and eight companies to the U.S. Treasury's list.