Iranian president threatens to restart nuclear program

Kim Yong Nam, president of the DPRK Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly reacts during a meeting with Hassan Rouhani, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran during their meeting in Teheran in this undated photo released on Aug 7, 2017 by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang. (KCNA/via Reuters photo)

TEHRAN -- Iran's president has issued a direct threat, claiming his country is capable of restarting its nuclear program within hours.

Hassan Rouhani says it could be done “in an hour and a day” if Washington continues with “threats and sanctions” against Iran.

He says that once restarted, the program could quickly be brought to a much more advanced level than it was back in 2015, when Iran signed the nuclear deal with world powers. That agreement capped Iran's uranium enrichment levels in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

Rouhani's remarks to lawmakers on Tuesday offered no evidence of Iran's capabilities but are likely to ratchet up pressure further with the Trump administration.

Rouhani also tempered his threat, adding that Iran seeks to remain loyal to its commitments under the deal.



