Iran Announces Partial Withdrawal From 2015 Nuclear Deal

Tehran, Iran (CBS News) -- Iran's president said Wednesday that the Islamic Republic will stop exporting excess uranium and heavy water from its nuclear program as stipulated by the nuclear deal reached in 2015 with world powers. President Hassan Rouhani set a 60-day deadline for new terms to be reached by the nations still trying to keep the deal viable, and said if that didn't happen, Iran would resume enriching uranium to higher levels.

Rouhani's address to the nation came on the anniversary of President Trump's decision to unilaterally withdraw the U.S. from the landmark agreement. Rouhani said Iran wanted to negotiate new terms with the remaining partners in the deal, but acknowledged that the situation was dire.

Iran sent letters Wednesday on its decision to the leaders of Britain, China, the European Union, France and Germany via their ambassadors in Tehran. All were signatories to the nuclear deal and continue to support it. A letter also was given to Russia. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was to meet Wednesday in Moscow with his Russian counterpart.