On Friday 6 September the spokeswoman of the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, denounced the Iranian authorities' announcement that it would remove all restrictions on its nuclear research and development activities.
"We note with great concern Iran's announcements regarding the further reduction of the country's commitment to the nuclear agreement... We urge Iran to reverse its actions inconsistent with its commitments under the Joint Action Plan (JCPOA) and to refrain from any further action undermining the preservation and full implementation of the nuclear agreement", she told the media.
In a letter dated 5 September to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif explains the reasons for the Iranian decision. "The letter emphasises that the action is being taken in full compliance with Iran's rights under the JCPOA, in particular Article 36 thereof, and in response to the widespread and consistent violation of the agreement over the past 16 months", since the US withdrawal in May 2018, explained the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman. Article 36 deals with a dispute resolution mechanism.
"Technical and operational details of Iran's suspension of its nuclear research and development commitments will be communicated to the International Atomic Energy Agency at a later date", the spokesman said. He added that Tehran was ready to fully comply with the agreement if the other parties fully comply with their commitments. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)