The EU’s diplomatic chief on Monday voiced regret at Tehran’s latest step away from the beleaguered 2015 Iran nuclear deal as the Islamic republic seethes over US killing of a top commander.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, tweeted that the accord, which has been teetering on the brink of collapse since US President Donald Trump pulled out, was “now more important than ever”.
European-led efforts to keep Iran in the deal - which curbed its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief -- have borne little fruit since the US withdrew in May 2018 and reimposed punishing sanctions.
In line with the usual EU policy, Borrell said the bloc would wait for further details of Iranian breaches from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before deciding how to respond.
“Deeply regret Iran’s latest announcement on #JCPOA. As ever we will rely on @iaeaorg verification,” Borrell tweeted, using an abbreviation for the deal’s formal name.
“Full implementation of #NuclearDeal by all is now more important than ever, for regional stability & global security.
I will continue working with all participants on way forward.”
On Sunday Iran said it would forego the “limit on the number of centrifuges” it had pledged to honour in the 2015 agreement, casting doubt on an EU push for talks to salvage the deal.