Iran's president warned Tuesday that it could ramp up its nuclear program and quickly achieve a more advanced level if the U.S. continues "threats and sanctions" against the country, which signed a landmark nuclear accord with world powers in 2015. If Washington continues with "threats and sanctions" against Iran, Rouhani said in parliament on Tuesday, Tehran could easily ramp up its nuclear activities. Iran has long denied that it seeks nuclear arms and says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. In December, Rouhani ordered up plans to build nuclear-powered ships, something that appears to be allowed under the nuclear deal. Iran has said the new U.S. sanctions amount to a "hostile" breach of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Source: ABC News August 15, 2017 06:11 UTC