BEIRUT: Iran`s President Hassan Rouhani ordered scientists on Tuesday to start developing systems for nuclear-powered boats, in reaction to what he called the United States` violation of a global atomic deal.

The announcement marked Iran`s first concrete response to a US Congress decision last month to extend legislation making it easier for Washington to reimpose sanctions on Tehran.

Rouhani described the technology as a `nuclear propeller to be used in marine transportation,` but did not say whether that meant just ships or possibly also submarines. Iran said in 2012 that it was working on its first nuclear-powered sub. His words will stoke tensions with Washington, already heightened by comments from US presidentelect Donald Trump who has vowed to scrap the deal, under which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for lifted sanctions.

There was no immediate reaction from the Viennabased International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors Iran`s nuclear work.

`The United States has not fully delivered its commitments in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the nuclear deal), Rouhani wrote in a letter published by state news agency IRNA.-Reuters