Iran could boost uranium enrichment to 60 pc if needed: Khamenei

Iranian flag. /VCG

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday that the Islamic republic could boost uranium enrichment to 60 percent if needed, vowing to "not back down on the nuclear issue".

"Iran's enrichment limit will not be 20 percent, and we will act to the point that is needed and the country requires," he was quoted as saying on his official website, adding that "we may bring enrichment to 60 percent" for nuclear propellants and other purposes.

Khamenei's statement came just hours after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington was looking to deal with Tehran's "destabilizing regional behavior and ballistic missile development". According to Blinken, the U.S. also seeks to "lengthen and strengthen the nuclear agreement".

Incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden has stated that Washington was ready to hold informal talks with Tehran, which would be hosted by the EU and attended by Russia, China, and the UK. However, Iran has repeatedly said that it wants the crippling sanctions lifted before sitting down for talks.

(With input from agencies)