Iran said yesterday that it would consider withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons if its nuclear program was referred to the UN Security Council.
Last week, Britain, France and Germany launched measures accusing Iran of failing to comply with the terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement, in a move that would push the Security Council to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran.
Iran has accused the three members of the European Union of not acting against the sanctions that Washington re-imposed on Tehran, after US President Donald Trump announced withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018.
The Iranian Shura Council website quoted Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif as saying that the European step lacks "any legal basis", and that if these countries take additional measures, "Iran's withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty will be considered."
The historic agreement concluded in 2015 with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for placing restrictions on its nuclear program.
Zarif said: “In the event that the Europeans return to their obligations, Iran will also stop abandoning its obligations, but if the Europeans continue their path, we have different options.”
The Foreign Minister pointed out that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned former European Union Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini of these repercussions in three letters he sent in 2018.
He stated, "It was stated in the president's message that if this issue is referred to the Security Council, then Iran's withdrawal from the NPT will be discussed, but we can think about other (options) before that."
Zarif: “If the Europeans return to their obligations, Iran will cease to abandon its obligations.”