Iran to Breach Limits of Nuclear Pact, Putting Bid to Save Deal in Doubt

Iran said it would exceed limits on its enriched-uranium stockpiles before the end of this month, days after the U.S. accused Tehran of orchestrating a second set of attacks on tankers near a vital global-shipping route.

If it carries through the threat, Iran would breach the enriched-uranium cap set in the 2015 nuclear deal, jeopardizing European efforts to save a pact that President Donald Trump withdrew from last year. Iran warned in early May it would withdraw from parts of the nuclear deal in retaliation, but its Monday announcement after two fuel tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday ratcheted up pressure on the U.S. and Europe to respond.

Iranian officials framed the move as an ultimatum to Europe, which has furiously tried to the save the deal by finding ways around U.S. sanctions that have cut off trade with Iran and tipped its economy into a painful recession. The nuclear deal was meant to open Iran’s economy in exchange for limits on its atomic ambitions.

The spokesman for Iran’s atomic energy agency, Behrouz Kamalvandi, told reporters in Tehran that by June 27 the country would surpass its enriched-uranium limits—10 days from now. He said Iran would further increase its production in early July, but could reverse both steps if Europe came through with sanctions relief.

“Today, the countdown starts from 10,” Mr. Kamalvandi said.

Iran says its move wouldn’t violate the nuclear deal, which allows for one party to unwind some measures of compliance if another—in this case, the U.S.—breaches the deal first. However under the pact, any move away from full compliance depends on the agreement of all remaining parties to the accord.

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have accused Iran of being responsible for Thursday’s attacks, allegations that Iran has denied. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over the weekend sought to build international support for Washington’s allegation, saying there are “lots of data, lots of evidence” that will be presented to the world soon.