Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday the country would within hours break the limit on uranium enrichment set in the 2015 nuclear deal, the BBC reports.
Details: Araqshi said Iran would start enriching uranium above a concentration of 3.67% to provide fuel for its Bushehr power plant, according to the BBC, which noted officials said previously this would mean a concentration of about 5%.
Why it matters: French President Emmanuel Macron said hours earlier France and Iran had agreed to explore by July 15 conditions to resume talks on the nuclear deal, per Euronews. Iran said last week its stockpile of low enriched uranium crossed 300 kilograms (660 pounds) — the maximum amount it's allowed to hold under the 2015 nuclear deal, which has been in jeopardy since the U.S. withdrew from it.
- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said last week Tehran would start enriching uranium to "any amount we want" on July 7.
The big picture: The situation between Iran and the United States remains tense. Last month, Iran shot down a U.S. drone in the Middle East. Trump called off retaliatory airstrikes at the last minute.
