The UK, Germany and France have also called for the removal of restrictions on IAEA access to nuclear facilities
The European Troika calls on Iran to abandon its plans to expand its nuclear programme and restrict IAEA access to nuclear facilities. This was announced in a joint statement by French, German and British Foreign Ministry officials distributed on Monday.
“Iran’s recent announcement of plans to install three new cascades of centrifuges at its Natanz enrichment plant contradicts the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCAP) and is of deep concern”, – the statement said. – “We are also deeply concerned about the recent law passed by the Iranian Parliament, which, if implemented, would lead to a significant expansion of the Iranian programme and restrict IAEA access”, – the communiqué stresses. It notes that “these measures are inconsistent with the JCAP and Iran’s other nuclear obligations.”
As representatives of the three countries’ foreign ministers point out, “if Iran is serious about preserving diplomatic space, it should not apply these measures.”
“Such a move could undermine our common efforts to maintain the JCAP and jeopardize the important opportunity to return to diplomacy that has emerged with the new US administration. A return to the JCAP would also benefit Iran”, – the communiqué says. – “We intend to address the issue of Iran’s violation of the JCAP through the agreement.”
“We welcome the statements by U.S. President-elect Joseph Biden on the JCAP to respond to broader concerns about Iran. It is in the interest of all of us”, – the statement says.