Iran 'playing with fire' with uranium enrichment, warns Trump

Washington : The US president Donald Trump issued a warning to the Iran after it announced that it had amassed more low-enriched uranium than permitted under its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. He said that Tehran was "playing with fire."

Trump said: "No message to Iran. They know what they're doing. They know what they're playing with, and I think they're playing with fire. So, no message to Iran whatsoever."

Tehran, on the other hand, defended its move saying that the move was not a violation of the accord, arguing that Iran was exercising its right to respond to the U.S. walkout.

The step, however, could have far-reaching consequences for diplomacy at a time when European countries are trying to pull the United States and Iran back from confrontation.

The Iran's move comes within two weeks of Donald Trump first announcing a strike on Iran then cancelling it a few hours before it was scheduled to be executed.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that the country's enriched uranium stockpile has now passed the 300-kg (661 lb) limit allowed under the deal.

The White House said earlier it would continue to apply "maximum pressure" on Iran "until its leaders alter their course of action." It also said Iran should be held to a standard barring all uranium enrichment.