TEHRAN -- The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has issued a letter to be presented to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about Tehran's intention to resume the production of 20 percent enriched uranium, the head of AEOI said on Friday evening.

"As required by the parliament, we are going to start the 20 percent (enrichment of uranium)," Ali Akbar Salehi said in an interview on Iran's state TV.

On the order of Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, a formal announcement letter has been sent to Iran's representative office in Vienna, Austria, to be delivered to the IAEA, informing about Tehran's decision to produce 20 percent enriched uranium, Salehi said.

On Dec 1, the Iranian parliament passed a bill urging the government to implement a number of steps, including a boost in Iran's uranium enrichment, in case the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement, namely Britain, France and Germany, fail to protect Iran's interests amid US energy and banking sanctions.