*TEHRAN – Iran will begin uranium enrichment beyond previous levels if theremaining parties fail to uphold the 2015 nuclear deal, its Atomic EnergyOrganisation told local media on Wednesday.*

“We will not return to previous levels if our counterparts leave the JCPOA(nuclear deal), but will instead reach even more advanced levels,” theorganisation´s spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said, quoted by statebroadcaster IRIB.

“We are at a considerably more advanced status than when we signed thedeal. The country is moving ahead in nuclear activities at a favourablepace,” he added.

Iran has repeatedly said it will resume high-level uranium enrichment ifthe 2015 agreement — which stringently limits its nuclear programme inreturn for sanctions relief — falls apart.

Following the withdrawal of the United States in May, the other parties –Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the EU — have vowed to provideIran with enough economic benefits to keep the agreement alive.

But Tehran is increasingly sceptical that those countries can counter theeffects of renewed US sanctions, which have already battered Iran´s economy.

Last week, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran should be readyto “set aside” the agreement if it is no longer in the country´s nationalinterests.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly stated that Iran issticking to its commitments.

The administration of US President Donald Trump claims the deal did notprevent Iran from eventually working towards a nuclear weapon — whichTehran has denied it is seeking. – APP/AFP