6 Nov
The US government has criticized Iran's decision to resume uranium enrichment at a nuclear facility in the central part of the country, calling it a big step in the wrong direction.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced on Tuesday that his country would inject gas into centrifuges at a facility in Fordow, breaking the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers.
US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus released a statement after Rouhani's announcement.
Ortagus said the United States has made clear that Iran's expansion of uranium-enrichment activities in defiance of key nuclear commitments is a big step in the wrong direction.
She said the US will continue to impose maximum pressure on the regime until it abandons its destabilizing behavior.
On Monday, President Donald Trump's administration said it would impose economic sanctions on nine individuals close to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Monday was the 40th anniversary of the student takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran.
Observers say the US government is putting maximum pressure on Iran in a bid to force it to the negotiating table for a new agreement that would replace the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran has so far refused to talk to the US.
nhk
