Iran Nuclear program 'out of control' since US withdrawal – Blinken

London (Quantum Commodity Intelligence) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that Iran's nuclear program has been out of control since the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), while Iran's "nuclear breakout time" could narrow to weeks if not restrained.

Speaking at a Foreign Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives hearing, Blinken reiterated that Iran's nuclear program "has been out of control" after the withdrawal of Washington from the JCPOA in May 2018.

"Iran's nuclear program was under control during the implementation of JCPOA, but now it is out of control," he said.

Blinken also referred to ongoing talks in Vienna, set to resume this week, as negotiators look for a breakthrough and to resume full implementation of the JCPOA.

"It is still unclear whether Iran has the will and readiness to take the necessary steps to return to JCPOA or not."

Blinken also said that if Iran's nuclear program continued unrestrained, its "nuclear breakout time" would reach several weeks.

Breakout time refers to the time it takes to accumulate enough nuclear material to construct a nuclear weapon.

The latest round of Iranian talks restart in Vienna on June 10 in an attempt to revive the 2015 nuclear deal and are seen as the last chance to reach an agreement that lifts US sanctions on oil, shipping and banking before Iran's elections the following week.