In an interview with IRNA, Ali Akbar Salehi, the chairman of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization and one of Rouhani’s vice presidents warned the European countries that if they do not uphold their end of the bargain, Iran’s hands are not tied.

He also criticized those who oppose JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) inside the country.

Salehi went on to say that if the negotiations with Europe fail and Iran leaves the JCPOA, these are some of the measures we can take: “We can restart 20 percent enrichment immediately or increase the amount or the enrichment level. We can also reinstall the removed centrifuges easily.”

He then criticized the opponents of JCPOA and said: “For the past three years they have been claiming that we have poured concrete in Arak reactor. That is not true, but they used photoshop to make some photos and spread lies.”

He continued: They talk as if the reactor was completed and we stopped it on its tracks. Arak reactor was still being built, and we didn’t have most of the needed equipment.”

Salehi then claimed that the bad economic conditions of the country started before the JCPOA: “Before the JCPOA, our ships were halted, insurance companies didn’t work with us, our oil export had dropped under a million barrels, and our exports were gradually decreasing. Money transfer had become impossible. These all existed and the conditions were getting worse.”

He praised the Russians for “doing all that they promised to the best of their abilities,” and responded to the reactions of the European countries to Iran’s missile launch by saying that Iran has not built the rocket for the purpose of carrying nuclear warheads. He continued: some European countries were always looking for an excuse, and they will not be satisfied until we act like them.”