“Iran has no plausible reasons to expand its enrichment program, whether in Fordo or elsewhere, the only reason is an attempt at nuclear blackmail, which will only exacerbate its political and economic isolation,” RIA Novosti quoted the diplomat as saying.
At the same time, he noted that this step is not surprising, since Iran “regularly threatens” with such actions.
The State Department stressed that the United States will continue its policy of maximum pressure on the Iranian regime until Tehran changes its "destabilizing behavior."
“The knowledge that Iran can gain as a result of research and development in a new centrifuge is irreversible. In the long run, they can reduce the time that Iran will need to create nuclear weapons if it decides to achieve this, ”the representative of the US Foreign Ministry warned.
He also called on the IAEA and the entire world community to condemn Iran’s actions.
Earlier, Iran announced the start of uranium enrichment up to 5% at the facility in Fordo on November 6.
Russia's Permanent Representative to international organizations, Mikhail Ulyanov, called on the United States to end the oil embargo against Tehran in order to save the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan.