Iran enriching uranium to 4.5%, breaking deal limit

TEHRAN, July 8 (MENA) - Iran began enriching uranium Monday to 4.5%, breaking the limit set by its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, ABC news reported.

The acknowledgement by the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran comes a day after Iran pledged to break the deal's limit of 3.67%.

The decision to ramp up uranium enrichment came less than a week after Iran acknowledged breaking the 300-kilogram (661-pound) limit on its low-enriched uranium stockpile.

In earlier statements, Iran's senior Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said his country did not violate the nuclear deal, referring to the 60-day deadline that was granted to the EU to secure its obligations under the nuclear deal.