Iran to negotiate with Russia and China about remaining in nuclear deal

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that his government remains committed to a nuclear deal with world powers, despite a decision by the United States to withdraw from the accord, but is also ready to step up its uranium enrichment.

Rouhani, who spoke following President Trump's speech announcing the U.S. withdrawal, said he has directed Iranian diplomats to negotiate with the deal's remaining signatories, including European countries, Russia and China.

But he also warned that Iran would resume enriching uranium at higher levels if the benefits of remaining a part of the pact were unclear.

“If in the short-term, we conclude that we can achieve what we want” from the nuclear deal, the agreement will survive, Rouhani said in a televised address.

If not, he continued, “I have asked [Iran's] Atomic Energy Organization to prepare the necessary orders to start unlimited enrichment,” which had been curtailed as part of the deal.

Trump, a longtime critic of the 2015 agreement, announced his decision on the deal from the White House, abandoning the landmark accord that was signed under President Barack Obama.