Iran’s bid at nuclear extortion will deepen its isolation: Pompeo

Washington, November 19

Following recent assertion by Tehran of its intention to resume uranium enrichment at its Fordow facility, the United States on Monday said it would withdraw its sanction waiver to Iran’s facility.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday announced the US decision to end its sanction waiver for Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, terming the Tehran assertion as “one of nuclear extortion” and warning that it would only deepen Iran’s political and economic isolation from the world.

“The United States will terminate the sanctions waiver related to the nuclear facility at Fordow effective December 15, 2019,” Pompeo told a news conference, pointing to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s announcement of renewed activity at Fordow.

“The right amount of uranium enrichment for the world’s largest state sponsor of terror is zero,” Pompeo told reporters at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.

Iran originally built Fordow as a fortified, underground bunker to conduct secret uranium enrichment work, and there is no legitimate reason for Iran to resume enrichment at this previously clandestine site, he said.

Iran should reverse its activity there immediately, the secretary of state demanded. PTI