Iran will start enriching uranium to 56-percent level if Israel and Western world keep on pressurizing the Islamic Republic with sanctions, Iranian religious leader Seyed Reza Taghavi said, RIA Novosti reported citing Kabir News.

“Currently Tehran produces 20-percent-enriched uranium but we will transform it to 56-percent-enriched uranium if Western countries continue their hostile viewpoint against Iran. All the restrictions and sanctions are because of the great power of the Islamic Republic.” Seyed Reza Taghavi added.

Uranium enrichment is a central issue in Iran’s controversial nuclear program. Currently the Islamic Republic possesses 20-percent-enriched uranium which can be turned into 90-percent highly-enriched, enough for producing a nuclear bomb.

Taghavi also warned that “if Israel makes any mistake,” Iran “will target the heart of Tel Aviv directly from Tehran,” adding that “Iran will not bow in front of the massive sanctions from Western countries,” Kabir News said.

Western nations claim Iran’s nuclear energy research is a cover for atomic weapons production, which Tehran has consistently denied.