Nuclear security

Soleimani killing: Iran abandons nuclear deal limits

Iran has said it would no longer abide by any of the limits of its unravelling 2015 nuclear deal with world powers after a United States air raid killed its top general in Baghdad on Friday.

Sunday's announcement means Iran is abandoning the accord's key provisions that block it from having enough material to build an atomic weapon.

Iran insisted in a state television broadcast it remained open to negotiations with European partners, who so far have been unable to offer Tehran a way to sell its crude oil abroad despite US sanctions.

It also did not back off of earlier promises that it would not seek a nuclear weapon.

However, the announcement represents the clearest nuclear proliferation threat yet made by Iran since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord in May 2018.

It also further raises regional tensions, as Iran's longtime foe Israel has promised never to allow Iran to be able to produce an atomic bomb.

The announcement came on Sunday night after another Iranian official said it would consider taking even-harsher steps over the US killing of General Qassem Soleimani on Friday.