If Europe does not act, Iran would move away from nuclear agreement
Tehran has said it will break the limits that the agreement imposed on its nuclear activities one by one, increasing pressure on countries that still hope to save it.
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister. / Via China Central Television (CCTV) – REUTERS
Reuters | Tuqa Khalid
Listen to this article
Leer en español: Si Europa no actúa, Irán se alejaría del acuerdo nuclear
Iran is prepared to distance itself more from its commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement with the world powers if European countries do not take measures to save the pact, the spokesman for its Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Tehran has said it will break the limits that the agreement imposed on its nuclear activities one by one, increasing pressure on countries that still hope to save it. Iran has threatened to take new measures on September 6, such as enriching 20% uranium or restarting detained centrifuges.
"Iran is prepared to reduce its commitments if the European parties do not show sufficient determination … The third step has been designed and will be stronger than the first and the second to create a balance between Iran's rights and the commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan, "said the IRNA news agency citing spokesman Abbas Mousavi.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs, Abbas Araghchi, goes to Paris to hold talks with French authorities about the agreement.
Read also: Nuclear winter would threaten nearly everyone on Earth
In addition, the Iranian government spokesman said Monday that Tehran and Paris's views on the deal have come closer, especially after phone calls between President Hassan Rouhani and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
"Fortunately, the views have come closer to many issues and now there are technical discussions about ways to execute the commitments of Europeans (in the nuclear agreement)," spokesman Ali Rabiei said in comments broadcast on state television. He did not give more details.
Rabiei, however, warned: "If (Europe) does not guarantee Tehran's satisfaction on the fulfillment of the commitments before a set deadline, we will take a stronger step to reduce the commitments."
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, unilaterally withdrew his country from the 2015 agreement between Iran and six world powers that seeks to limit Iran's nuclear program. Washington again imposed sanctions on Iran's oil exports.