Iranian media reports country has exceeded nuclear fuel limit

Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has passed the 300-kilogram limit set by the 2015 nuclear pact with major world powers, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Monday.

The outlet cited an “informed source” saying that International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors weighed the stockpile Monday and found the limit had been exceeded.

{mosads}Iran had recently quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium.

Iran’s increased nuclear material production comes a year after President Trump exited the deal negotiated by former President Obama and five other major world powers.

Trump has reimposed strict sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation since departing the deal.

The report also comes as U.S.-Iran tensions have recently escalated. Late last month Iran shot down a U.S. drone it argued was in its airspace. The U.S. has said the drone was flying in international airspace.

Washington also accused Tehran of bombing two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, which Iran denied.

The Pentagon announced last month that it would deploy an additional 1,000 troops to the Middle East to address “air, naval, and ground-based threats” in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated Monday that his country would not bow to foreign pressure, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

“Today, Iran has to stand against U.S. economic sanctions through domestic production and relying on national potentials,” he said, without making any reference to the nuclear program.

Updated at 8:35 a.m.