Iran’s Supreme Leader has promised that Iran will respond if the US Congress and President renew sanctions legislation.

Last week the House of Representatives voted for the extension of the 1996 act. The Senate is expected to follow before Congress adjourns next month, sending the measure to President Obama for signature.

Ayatollah Khamenei told members of the Basij paramilitary in Tehran on Wednesday:

So far, the current US government has committed several violations with regard to the nuclear agreement. The most recent of them is the 10-year extension of the sanctions. If these sanctions are extended, it will surely constitute a violation of the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] and they should know that the Islamic Republic will definitely react to it.

Khamenei did not specify the response. However, Iranian officials have said that if the US steps away from the July 2015 nuclear deal, Tehran could resume installation of advanced centrifuges and the production of 20% enriched uranium.

Research, development, and operation of the centrifuges is restricted by the deal, and Iran gave up all stocks of the 20% uranium as well as ceasing production.

Last week, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, asserted, “If you extend the sanctions, this will mean kicking the JCPOA away and we will confront it through implementing powerful technical packages.”