France, Germany, Britain and the European Union on Saturday criticized the United States' decision to end work on basic exceptions for projects in the Iranian civil nuclear sector that constitute "guarantees of a peaceful nature" of Tehran's program.
"We deeply regret the decision by the United States to end the three exemptions related to key nuclear projects within the framework of the comprehensive joint work plan, including the Arak reactor modernization project," spokespeople for the three countries said in a joint declaration, also signed by European Union foreign policy representative Josep Borrell. .
In a joint statement, the European ministers said that these projects are approved by Security Council Resolution 2231, and they serve the interests of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons for all, and give the international community guarantees of the safe and peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities.
The European ministers added that they are discussing with their partners the implications of the US decision, reaffirming that the international nuclear agreement remains the best and only way to guarantee the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program, calling on Tehran to return to full compliance with the agreement without delay.
On Wednesday, the United States announced the end of exceptions that had so far allowed projects related to Iran's civil nuclear program despite Washington's sanctions, in the last step of the US disengagement from the 2015 international agreement and President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018.
"I announce the end of exceptions to the sanctions related to all nuclear projects in Iran," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
In practice, this decision means that countries that remain committed to the international agreement concluded with Iran regarding its nuclear program and are involved in these Iranian civil nuclear projects are subject to US sanctions if they do not withdraw from these projects, and this matter relates to Russia in the first place.