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Older centrifuges for uranium enrichment from Natanz, 270 kilometers from Tehran, in February 2012. REUTERS / IRIB Iranian TV via Reuters TV

Iran is trying to increase the pressure on Europeans and is withdrawing more from the nuclear deal. Tehran has announced the launch of more sophisticated centrifuges to increase its stock of enriched uranium. Thierry Coville, researcher at IRIS and expert from Iran, explains the stakes of this announcement.

RFI : Iran announced on Saturday (September 7th) that 20 IR-4 centrifuges and 20 IR-6 type centrifuges have been commissioned, while the Vienna agreement does not allow Tehran to produce enriched uranium. 'with first generation centrifuges - how do you understand this announcement?

Thierry Coville: They put in place these centrifuges that will enrich the uranium faster. At present, the degree of enrichment of uranium is 4.5%, I think. If we believe that they are learning new technologies, the fear is that if they continue like this, they will be able to enrich uranium at 90% faster than before. That would allow them to get a nuclear bomb. But today, we are still far from an Iran that is moving towards the manufacture of an atomic bomb.

►Also read: Nuclear: Iran sharply accelerates its uranium enrichment program

Is this a new step in the strategy implemented by Iran to denounce Washington's decision to leave the nuclear agreement ?

For now, the Iranians have launched three sets of small measures, but they believe they remain true to the Vienna agreement. They say every time that if Europe is able to step up trade with Iran by buying more Iranian oil, they will come back to the starting point. For now, the announced goal is still to be limited to a civilian nuclear program. The new measure just serves as a means of pressure, especially on Europeans. But they will always give diplomacy a chance.

Do you consider that Iran still respects the Vienna agreement ?

It is clear that the Iranians are gradually coming out of the agreement reached in 2015. But I think this is essentially a means of pressure. It must be remembered that there were 15 reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that demonstrated Tehran's compliance with the agreement.

But the Iranians have faced the total inaction of Europeans who have been unable to counter US sanctions. Iran 's oil exports have fallen from 2.2 million barrels a day to about 300,000 to 400,000 barrels a day as a result of US sanctions against Iran. It is untenable for the country, which is asking Europe to act. At that point, they will be ready to return completely to the agreement.