Iran is preparing for possible increase of enrichment capacity if deal fails - nuclear chief

Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi speaks with foreign press after meeting with the European Commissioner for Energy and Climate, Miguel Arias Canete, in Tehran, Iran, May 19, 2018. REUTERS/Alissa de Carbonnel

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iran has begun preparations to boost its uranium enrichment capacity, its nuclear chief said on Tuesday, adding to pressure on European powers trying to save a nuclear accord with Tehran in peril after a U.S. withdrawal.

France, Britain and Germany want to salvage the 2015 deal's core bargain of sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on Tehran's atomic activities. Washington has reimposed sanctions against Tehran since quitting the deal last month, arguing Iran posed a security threat.