The atomic energy official noted that Tehran's nuclear activities would remain within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as Iran nuclear deal.
"We are not engaged in anything that would contradict the JCPOA, I have not said that we will begin production of new centrifuges from tomorrow. We have said that we will prepare the infrastructure needed to produce the centrifuges," Salehi was quoted as saying by the IRIB broadcaster.
Earlier in the day, deputy Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Behrouz Kamalvandi, said that the body would inform the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the country's increasing capacities on uranium enrichment.
"A letter that will be handed over to the IAEA says that the process of increasing the capacity to produce UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) and UF4 (uranium tetrafluoride) will start on Tuesday," Kamalvandi said in an interview with the ISNA news agency.
Kamalvandi reportedly added that Iran had a capacity to accelerate production of centrifuges for the uranium enrichment.
On Monday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the AEOI to immediately prepare for achieving 190,000 SWU within the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump announced that his country would exit the Iran nuclear deal. In addition, Trump decided to reinstate the previously lifted sanctions on Iran. The unilateral move has been opposed by other signatories.
